Shivering Santa

When I saw my breath early this morning I knew bell ringing was going to be very cold for this Santa's helper.  Fearlessly and somewhat foolishly I donned my thin Santa suit and pulled on my non-insulated rubber boots.  For two hours I would experience 9 degrees of separation from being the cool Claus and being the cold Claus.  My cheeks turned a bright red.  My toes froze and ceaseless dripping came from my nose.  My fingers, inside thin white gloves, struggled to hold on to the bell as they stiffened. 

I could have dressed for the weather and been much more comfortable.  I must admit, after about two minutes, that I wished I had come wrapped like we wrap up children before turning them out into the snow.  Holly and jolly are hard to do when icicles form on your beard and a chill wind blows the smile off your face.  What was I thinking?

But, oh the rewards of placing S. Claus outside Wal Mart this morning!  A woman came running up to me to ask if there was a fee to have a picture taken with me.  I said 'No.'  She ran back to her car and wrestled a young puppy ('afraid of people' she said) and promptly dropped him in my arms.  I offered my best smile as the tan and white pup squirmed in my arms.  And I thought 'Please don't let him pee on my suit.'

I heard a little boy's voice 'Santa!'.  I turned to see a boy of two or three running to wrap his arms around me.  I shivered inside when I saw the slimy, green thing hanging from his nose.  And I thought "Please don't wipe your nose on my leg."  A mother had her picture taken with me followed shortly by her teenage daughter coming back for a picture while planting a kiss on my frozen cheek.

Child after shy child came up to me with eyes filled with joy.  Men called out telling me they had been 'good' this year and could I bring the boat, the gun, fun in the sun this year.  Inside the store, much in need of a restroom break, Santa stopped to talk to each one who called to him while wondering if he was going to pee on his own knee. 

9 degrees of separation gave way to the amazing: a parent thanking me for bending to talk to her little boy...a family thanking me for being willing to have a picture taken (their only Santa picture of the season)...a child promising me they would go to sleep tonight...the warmth of one greeting after another in the parking lot and store.

Being a Santa is such fun.  Being a Santa willing to hug a snot-nosed child, wrestle a pup, listen to a child's wish, and always making time for one more visit thawed this Popsicle Santa time and time again.  I am so glad I dressed, not for the weather, but for the season of joy!  (PS-It only took me 2 hours and a hot shower to thaw my fingers enough to type!)