Christmas Magic ‘A Touching Christmas Memory’

Second Place

One afternoon 30 years ago, when I was a high school student working in the Sears credit department at NorthTown, I was privileged to witness a very moving, very memorable encounter.

I had been at work for several hours and during much of that time I had observed a little elderly lady watching the store’s Santa visit with the children.

He was a big man, tall and round with a robust voice and a hearty laugh. We had all commented on what a fine Santa he made.

At times, he was filling the typical Santa role - sitting in his chair, holding the children, taking their Christmas orders. At other times, slower times, he would wander our floor as well as the main floor above us looking for little ones to lure back to “The North Pole” for a more in-depth visit.

I began to wonder why the little lady stayed so long. Even when Santa left our floor for another, she waited. When he’d return, more little ones in tow, she resumed her watchful position.

What happened next is what will never leave me, no matter how long I live. A moment so touching that it moved me and my co-workers to tears as we watched.

No children remained. Santa looked up and saw the lady glancing his way. Those of us watching began to sense what the little lady seemed to know all along - that he was not just a nice man in a red suit and white beard, hired to make the children happy. He WAS Santa Claus.

Their eyes met. He got up from his chair and made his way across the floor to where the lady was standing. As he did, you could see a change come over her. The slight sadness reflected on her face began to fade away, replaced by a wide-eyed innocence. Her stooped shoulders straightened, her feet began to move lightly up and down. A small smile began to cross her parted lips and 70 years faded away before our eyes.

She was a small child again.

As Santa came within her reach, he boomed, “Where have you been? I’ve been waiting for you!”

Tears were rolling down the lady’s cheeks as a small childlike voice responded, “Oh, Santa, I’ve been here ALL the time.”

He enveloped her in his arms and she disappeared in his hug. They stood for what seemed a long time touching, speaking quietly to one another. The conversation was animated and punctuated by giggles and laughter. No one knows exactly what was said, but it was obvious to those of us watching that these two had transcended the realities of the moment and had gone to another place and time - together.

Finally, she reached for one more hug before she boarded the escalator. Their eyes did not leave each other, and the waves continued until she was out of sight.

My co-workers? Me? The tears rolled down our cheeks, but no words were spoken about what we had just seen. Not then, not ever.

It was as though we knew we had witnessed a spiritual event and nothing should be said or done to diminish its beauty. There were, and still are, no fitting words.

I think of this man at this time each year. I see him clearly. I relive that moment as if it was yesterday. I’ve wondered if he is still with us, if he still dons a suit each year in hopes of bringing happiness into people’s lives - people of all ages. If we are lucky, he is.

There is a Santa Claus - and if he happens to read this and remembers that day 30 years ago, I want him to know he, his kindness, his compassion, his gentleness will never be forgotten.

May God bless and keep him always.