For the past four years, on the day after Thanksgiving, you could find me outside of a downtown Jasper store called Bernard’s Store for Men. On the so called ‘Black Friday,’ Rusty Richardson and his wonderful staff allows me to come and greet their customers outside of the store. I love standing outside greeting shoppers and people that are walking or driving in beautiful downtown Jasper.
I stand out there greeting everyone I meet with a Merry Christmas and a candy cane. This is wonderful time to check on the Christmas Spirit in Jasper. The wonderful organizations are working on last minute touches to their Christmas Trees in the town square for the Lighting Ceremony that night.
On this particular Black Friday, I was standing out there wishing everyone a Merry Christmas as they pass and I hear a small little voice yelling Santa. I turn and look to find a very small child running at me as fast as her little legs would carry her.
If you know the town square, she was at the corner closest to the Walker County Probate Office. She was at a full run toward me yelling “Santa!!” This wee girl couldn’t have been more than three years old. So, I lean down and scoop her up into my arms.
Now, normally when one is seeing Santa and is excited like that one of two things are on their minds. Either, they want to know about the reindeer or they want to tell me their Christmas wish.
Today, I was completely taken aback!! The first thing this little one said to me was, “Santa, I want to live in the North Pole with you!”
Of course this completely through me off guard. Thankfully her grandmother who was recording the whole interaction said they have told her she could not live in the North Pole and have given several reasons as to why. From its too cold to Mom and Dad would miss you too much. Nothing was deterring this little girl from wanting to live at the North Pole with Santa.
Something you have to understand that most folks don’t. YOU HAVE TO BE QUICK ON YOUR FEET WHEN ASKED A QUESTION OR GIVEN A SITUATION AS SANTA!!
I pulled her hair back and looked at her ears and told her she didn’t have pointed ears. She couldn’t live at the North Pole without having pointed ears because only elves and Mrs. Claus live with me at the North Pole. She said “But you don’t have pointed ears,” I explained that I am only half elf so the points are very, very small.
Then all of the sudden it was what she was looking for, I guess, because all she said was “Okay” and preceded to tell me her Christmas wishes of Barbie dolls and such.
Her mom and grandmother were great for recording this little conversation. It was so funny and I will remember it always.
