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Show 3 Two a.m. Christinas found me, as usual, finishing the last details on one of my many holiday projects. I had even started earlier than usual to insure completion of all my creating, sewing, baking, and wrapping at least two before days Christmas. Since two weeks before Thanksgiving all my spare time has been spent remaking clothes for the Children, sewing winter coats, or making dolls .and doll clothes. Other things were set aside enabling me to take on odd jobs for extra money or to bake treats. I had hurriedly put the baby to bed at 7:00 p.m. and after a few drinks of water, several trips to the potty, a story about Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer, and a trillion Night Before Christmas Questions, I finally got Lindsey and Reanie to I wrapped the doll clothes and placed them with the other gifts under the tree, then sat bade to admire the multicolored blinking lights. I must have dozed off, because the next thing I knew Santa was standing by the Christmas tree. loving. The way he stood there looking at the gifts led me to believe he had come to add to our meager supply. However, I noticed that he did not have his pack with Hoping the children wouldnt be disappointed, I found myself wishing there really was a Santa Claus. My father told me the truth about Santa when I was I was crushedlHow could there not be a Santa Claus? There just had to be a jolly, loving, white ' haired old man who cared about everyone enough to devote his whole life preparing gifts and delivering them to people all over the world. Well, we all eventually grow up and our dreams of Santa are replaced with reality, this year reality meant very little extra money for gifts. We werent able to get the big wheel, hobby horse, or toy kitchen the children asked for, and Jim and I decided early in the season not to buy gifts for one another. The little money we did have went for necessities, such as boots, and a tew clothes, materiaL d. . him. my Sensing thoughts, he said, Yes 1 did bring you something, but it is nothing to wrap and place under the tree. My gift for you is something to share with all those around you. It is the greatest gift you can give your children. I know you have spent a great deal of time and effort preparing these gifts and doing odd jobs to earn extra money fe your little ones, but in your providing for them, did you forget their real needs and wants? I suddenly recalled putting the children to bed several times without prayers and stories because I wanted to hurry and get started on my sewing; or getting angry when they interfered with some project. There were many times when they had to wait and wait, until I finished minor details on a creation. asI was cutting out a pattern on the living toon floor, Ricky kept crawling on the material and messing it up. When he grabbed a pattern piece' and ripped it, I became angry and spanked him. As I looked up at Santa he walked over and sat by One day - me on the couch. Looking into my eyes, he explained that au the gifts I could possibly make or. buy for my children would not be as great as the gift that he wanted me to share with them. He said, Take time with them. Take time to listen to them, that they may know you will always be there in times of need. Take time to learn and discover, or just play with them. Take time to touch them lovingly. Then he said, Remember the reason we have Christmas is to celebrate the birth of a man who the gave to the world greatest gift. . ex- ample of how we should live in order to obtain true happiness. As he arose, that kindly old man took my hand in both of his, and gazing Santa Claus?! Yes, Santa Claus! See, I knew there had to be a Santa. He was just as I had always imagined him. Pleasingly plump, not fat in my description, just nice and soft looking. Even through his beard I could see he had the sot of face that smiles a great deal, and looking at him I knew he was kind and bed. This being Lindseys third Christmas, she was beginning to catch on to all the festive activities. Reanie, one year older than Lindsey, was so wound up with anticipation that it took here much longer than usual to fell asleep. She lay there in the top bunk telling Lindsey, in her little grown up, authoritative way, all about Santa and the presents and candy. After finishing the last few stitches on sane doll pajamas, I sat back to contemplate the mailing. Christs life was an ; into my eyes said, Love them, just love them. I awoke with a grateful heart and a renewed determination to give the special gift of love to my children every day. Before going to bed I went to each sleeping child and touched them gently, on the head. As I stood wtching their little angel faces, I wept in sadness because of the lov-'ingi- y, time I was not so patient or gentle, and with joy in we anticipation of the love the many in would share days to come. Merry Christmas babies, I love you! |