Christmas Story #1

The Sister and Santa Claus

Since today is my sister's birthday, I will start my Christmas storytelling with a story that includes her.

As children, my sister and I shared a bedroom on the second floor. I am nearly eight years older so I can tell you that it wasn't the best arrangement since we were at different seasons in life. We rarely said much to each other or had much interaction. Except...

once in a while, she would have some crisis and would end up in my twin size bed with me.

Mostly, she would be scared about something OR she pretended to be scared so she could sleep with me.

Anyway, she was talking about Christmas that night when she crawled in bed with me. She talked about Santa...about presents and I really wanted to go to sleep, but she wanted to talk, so I tried to listen. I also took my opportunities at every pause to tell her she needed to go to sleep.

Finally frustrated, I emphasized strongly that she needed to go to sleep so that Santa could come.

Then right on cue, we heard a thump on the roof... followed by jingling of bells. Yes, jingling of bells.

She whispered, "Is that Santa?"

Frankly, I was a little shocked myself and got quiet to listen. But I finally whispered, "Yes, and you need to go to sleep. He doesn't like it when children are awake when he's bringing them presents."

It worked.

She went to sleep.

I don't remember when I figured out that the thump on the roof was our cat and the jingle was the bell on her collar. Maybe, I saw our cat the next day and put two and two (that's thump and jingle in mystery talk) together.

But, my sister believed it was Santa and for one single solitary moment or two, I might have wondered about it myself.

Happy Birthday, Little Sister.

Photo source: can't remember, but meant to.