Believing in Christmas

When I was just a child, I would await the night that good ole' St. Nick would come into town. There was no way I could sleep comfortably. I couldn't even sleep at all. One Christmas Eve, as my mother was tucking me into bed, I was looking out of my bedroom window at the sky. I told her that I saw Santa. I'm not sure what it was. It could have been a plane, a shooting star, the Christmas star, a light on the sewage treatment plant... But in that moment for me, it was Santa Claus. My mother told me that I needed to go to sleep quickly before he found out I was awake and wouldn't stop at our house. So I quickly tucked myself under the covers and closed my eyes. Eventually, I fell asleep. The next morning, I woke up way earlier than everyone else. Four A.M early! I would wake my brother, and we would sneak downstairs in the dark to discover all of our presents from Santa. We would do this every year. After shaking all of our presents, we headed back upstairs to pretend we were sleeping. That feeling of knowing Santa came, the feeling of joy and excitement, is what Christmas is to kids. 

As we grow older, and become more frustrated at the thought of Christmas, we must take a step back and remember the memories we first had of Christmas. The baking of the cookies, the decorating of the tree, the crisp air and twinkling lights; the Christmas music, and Grandma's hugs and dinners are what made my holidays so special. There will never be a time where I dislike Christmas. I will grow up to have kids of my own, and I will see the other side of Christmas morning. Insuring that my kids believe in Santa no matter what; Because we all know Christmas season is not as warm without the joy of smiling children all around the world.