A VISIT TO ST. NICK

I have a notion to write a childhood Christmas memory as a hub so here goes.

I only remember going to see Santa once in my life. I may have been taken, as an infant but don't remember. I sure remember towards the beginning of Christmas break in the first grade in Miss Doris Hull's class at Sanford Grade School. All of us first graders had worked to decorate our first classroom to the nines for Christmas and it sparkled.

My dad was picking me up after school to take me to Cooey Bentz for the big visit. I was breathless with the wonderful anticipation such a visit elicits in childhood. I don't remember being in Cooey Bentz before that evening or since but it was a magical Christmas Land that December evening in 1952. The scene in “A Christmas Story” where Ralphie and his little brother go to see Santa always puts me in mind of my visit to St. Nick.

We went in and took the elevator to the top floor. When what to my wondering eyes did appear but the most magnificent display of electric trains I had ever seen in my six plus years of life. Santa who??? I want to watch the trains. Dad allowed my fantasy for about 15 minutes of my preview of heaven and then it was off to see Santa. Ah, I remember, that Santa.

I didn't pass out or black out but I'm not sure what I asked for because my brain was overloaded with trains and I knew we had one already at home and no more would be forthcoming and that was that. It was a great adventure shared between a boy and his dad.

This, 2011, has been a very different year in my life and I’m grateful for still being around to live it. Merry Christmas and happy New Year to all of you and may God bless you every one.