Gimme That Ol' Time Santa Magic

Sis, as you may know, is Santa-phobic. There seems to be no specific reason for her fear, no traumatic Santa experience; she just doesn't want to be anywhere near a real Santa. It got so bad last year at our church's cookie sale, with a live Santa, that she couldn't be in the same room with him. And she remembered that this year and said she wouldn't go if he were there. Pictures, tv shows, decorations are fine but not a living, breathing Santa. Which is why, for 3 years running, we haven't had their pictures taken with the mall Santa.

But Santa wasn't at the cookie sale when Sis arrived this morning. No, he came in about 2 minutes later while she was still in the front of the room. We tried to usher her away but of course she has Santa-dar and noticed him immediately. And didn't cry, begged to be held, or back away.

No, she waved.

Sure, from behind the sniffing comfort of Real Shirt, but this was progress.

And then, once he was seated in his special chair, she announced that she wanted to go shake his hand. And she did! Marched right up to him and extended her Shirt-free hand. We were stunned and quickly recorded what we thought to be an isolated moment of insanity in pictures.

But it happened again. She wanted to tell him what she wanted for Christmas so she went up and spoke to him. And then agreed to pose for a picture. And then sat on his lap! Eventually, she could do it all without Shirt. And all on her own initiative. We were bowled over. As was Santa, who is a very dear friend of our minister and has long known of Sis's fear. Santa was wonderful with her, very reassuring and gentle but not smothering at all. Just perfect.

By the time we left, she didn't blink to see Santa as he wandered the cookie sale and the halls of church. And it was she who insisted that we go say goodbye and "Merry Christmas."

You'll be getting a picture of the miracle in your Christmas card!