Mom and Santa

This is a very special post for me to write. I would like to introduce you to my mom and my uncle. My mom is 80 years old, in this picture, and the lovely Santa is her younger brother. This picture is from last year. He is Santa at Short Pump Town Center in Richmond, Virginia. Years ago he was a Santa in Norfolk, Virginia. He has been the Santa for Short Pump since it opened a few years ago. We haven't gone to see him this year, my mom doesn't like to travel much anymore. His personality is the same either way. I have been with him when children would talk to him while he was buying groceries. At first, they will stare and then he will ask them if they are keeping their rooms clean. It is such a joy to watch. So even when he is in regular clothes the children still see him as Santa.

One memory he shares with us is of a little girl brought to the mall by her grandmother. He asked her what she wanted for Christmas. She told him her mother had died and she wanted Santa to bring her back. He explained to her that there are some things Santa does not have control over. He did his best to give her comfort and hold back his own tears. After she left he said he told the helpers he would need a break so he could compose himself for the other children. Out of all the malls this grandmother could have taken her to, I am glad she found the one with my uncle. He is a believer of Christ and I feel the words that came to him that special day came from a higher power. We are so blessed to have him in our family and I am grateful that I could share him with you.

Merry Christmas