December 22, 2006

Christmas Supplement

Surprise visit from Santa Claus reminds girl to count her blessings

By Mary Williams

Special to The Criterion

It was a cold, snowy Christmas Eve in 1959.

We had “painted” Christmas scenes on the picture window in the living room with stencils and Glass Wax.

The snow was falling and it looked like a Norman Rockwell scene outside.

As we children were peering out the window contemplating Santa’s arrival, we heard a loud “Ho, Ho, Ho” outside. Seven pairs of eyes grew huge when we saw Santa walking down the middle of our street. The younger siblings were stunned. Here came Santa walking up our driveway straight to the front door!

We lunged for the door, opened it and were just about speechless as Santa handed each of us a present. Then he warned us to get to bed because he was ready to start making deliveries.

We scrambled over our feet to get to our rooms and fall asleep.

As I laid there thinking about what just had occurred, I remember feeling all warm and cozy about being in a family that loved each other, sharing a room with my sister, smelling the turkey starting to bake down in the kitchen and knowing that the manger scene was tucked nicely under the tree where Santa could see it.

I knew that our family was truly blessed.

(Mary Williams is a member of Holy Spirit Parish in Indianapolis.) †

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