Santa Sighting!

It's true! I saw Santa Claus yesterday, and not in his usual locales. Yes, o.k., it's the pre-Christmas season, and there are Santa's helpers dressed like Santa all over the place. They are helping to collect money for good causes. They are busy attending parties in hosptials, ancient age living facilities, singing at concerts, and even helping to sell cars. And toys are collected all over the country to go into Santa's red sack for distribution to children everywhere. Santa Claus is a great humanitarian. He really helps out the economy by allowing his image to show up on every piece of merchandizing available during the Christmas season. Why do we all like Santa Claus? Well, those of us who aren't Grinches, adore his loving generosity and merry spirit.

Lord knows, Santa has a lot on his plate this time of year - so why would he show up in my life? My answer is.....Why not????? There he was as large-as-life, and in-the-flesh! (Typing those expressions down does make me wonder where they came from. They're kind of creepy. Anyhow....) How did it happen that Santa was there? Let me explain. I had been out for the day at an appointment and doing my weekly food shopping on the way home. The interstate sounded chock-a-block with cars, so I decided to drive the back way. Less traffic there, the scenery's a lot nicer, and there are a lot of pretty Christmas lights.

At one point, there I am with my car paused to turn onto the next street - when a shiny, new red truck came up, and turned in front of me to go down the street I was leaving. Santa was driving! Honestly. Santa was driving the red truck. (Maybe he uses a truck for daytime travel in suburbia.) He was wearing his hat and red suit. It matched the color of his truck. And his beard was full, and snowy white. His cheeks were rosy and round.

I was so thrilled to see him, I just grinned. I sat there in my car, oblivious to any thing else, watching Santa make his turn in front of me. When he saw me staring at him, Santa smiled at me and waved. I waved back. For a brief moment, we connected. Then....we both continued our respective travels - me, with a lighter heart.

I love magic when it crosses my path. Santa's crossing was magic for me. It was wonderful to see him. Whoever says that Santa doesn't exist - just isn't looking.