Mall Santa

I don't think this young lady worries anymore about whether there is a Santa. She's much too self possessed for that.

Dana and I braved the mall this morning to exchange Will's birthday present--a skateboard for a larger model. That done, we wandered around looking at sweaters and workout wear. I have committed myself to try out an exercise studio here and don't have a thing to wear. Dana was looking for a roomy, comfy sweater. Neither of us was inspired enough to keep digging through the myriad racks for the perfect thing, and we certainly didn't want to try on anything that wouldn't fit over what we already had on. Disrobing in public or going to a dressing room were not attractive options.

As we made our way to the door, we noticed that there were small children everywhere freaking out in their strollers, losing it in the aisles and generally expressing their displeasure for shopping in general, or perhaps their fear of sitting on the lap of a strange old man with a beard, a stupid hat and a funny red coat.

I remember visiting the mall in Naperville Illinois when Dana lived there and was nine months pregnant. In an all out effort to hasten the inevitable, we went to the mall and walked around in circles, unable to concentrate on anything but convincing Wilson that he couldn't stay in there forever. Something worked because he finally made his appearance (with a little help) on Dec. 17th, 15 years ago. The following year the family had moved to Santa Rosa, and they took one year old Willie to see Santa. This produced quite a cute picture of him perched on Santa's knee, looking at the camera like a deer in the headlights. The year after that, when Will was two, he was adamant--he would not go anywhere near Santa Claus, his throne or his knee!

Despite the poor quality of today's blip,(taken from the mezzanine in bad light) I offer it as a lovely example of composed grace under pressure! Would that we could all be so self-possed as we prepare for the challenges of Christmas!