Santa is on the Roof!

Christmas is upon us once again. There’s that familiar sense of joy and fellowship that appears every year. It truly is a magical time. I pause to reflect on the various Christmases in my life. I wander back to my earliest ones with great heart whelming nostalgia.

I remember one in particular. I was five years old. The tree at home was up already and decorated with lights and ornaments. Each ornament held a story and my father and mother would recite them every year. My anticipation for Santa was at an all-time high. It was Christmas Eve.

I looked out the window to watch the snow coming down. I heard my mother in another room declare that we are packing the car and heading for my aunt’s house. I ran into my room and found my hat and gloves. I put on my little boots and returned to the living room to get my little coat. I was ready. There was food to gather and presents to pack up. My older brother and I helped load the car. My little sister was only two and could not help much. Our youngest brother was still a baby at one year old.

We rolled along the snowy suburban streets with Christmas music playing on the car radio. My mother talked about Santa coming tonight and how we had all been good boys and girls. Maybe he might bring us something special. I smiled and looked out the car window dreaming of what it might be. There were snowmen here and there. I promised myself I would make one tomorrow for sure.

We arrived at my aunt and uncle’s home. We unloaded the car and headed for the door. My Uncle Butch was wearing a Santa’s cap. Behind him I could see their Christmas tree. It was wonderful. I stomped off my boots as I entered and felt the warmth of a well decorated living room. My Aunt Phyllis was waiting with kisses for all the children. My cousin Yvonne was there. She was a few years older than me and tall. She had a holiday dress on. Hugs went around the room as the two families began the holiday celebrations.

I remember after having some cookies and milk. I wanted to go to the window and see if it was still snowing. My older brother, Bob, and Yvonne joined me. We stood side by side looking into the dark sky and watching the snow coming down. Each of us were filled with Christmas spirit and excitement. That’s when we saw it. A blinking red light moving through the sky.

“That’s Rudolph!” My brother yelled. The three of us began jumping up and down in the window.

“Do you see Santa?” I asked.

“Maybe. I think so.”

“You kids have found Santa. He is around. When we get you home. You will have to go to bed. Otherwise he won’t come.” My mother said with Aunt Phyllis confirming this well known fact that apparently all adults knew.

Well, I thought, I’m ready to leave right now! Let’s get this started.

We ended up exchanging gifts and watching a couple of Christmas cartoons on TV before we packed up to leave. I put on my coat, hat and gloves. I needed help with the boots though. They were difficult to pull on after eating so many cookies I supposed.

Back in the car my father agreed with my mother and insisted that when we got home, it would be time for bed. I was fine with that.

So, out of my clothes and into pajamas. I kneeled at the bedside and said a little prayer that would hopefully keep Santa safe tonight. He would have a very busy night. I crawled into bed and received a kiss from my mother. My father was somewhere else. Lights out.

My busy mind raced around so many thoughts until I finally began to feel the pull of sleep.

Bang! Bang! Bang! It was a tremendous noise. I shared a bedroom with my older brother. We were both up and running. We found my mother in the hallway. Clearly Santa was here!

“Santa is here! Santa is here!” We were overwhelmed with excitement.

“If he’s here then you better get back to bed!” She said, pointing at our bedroom door.

BANG! BANG! BANG! There it was again.

“He’s on the roof!” Santa is on the roof!” We jumped up and down uncontrollably. My mother put arms around both of us and walked us back to our bedroom. There was NO WAY I was going to get to sleep tonight.

Christmas morning arrived suddenly when I awoke with a start. It was light outside. I must have overslept. My brother was stirring and soon we jumped out of bed and ran to the living room. The tree was packed with presents. And of course our parents were still in bed. That would have to change right away.

An hour later wrapping paper lay all over the room and I was playing with my new red Radio Flyer wagon. Santa had done it again!

***

I snapped out of my holiday memory and came back to the present. Christmas memories are the best.

I remember years later when my brothers, sister and I were older, late teens perhaps. It was Christmas again. We were sitting around the tree on Christmas Eve. My mother said she had something to tell us.

“Kids, do you remember the Christmas when you were young and you heard Santa on the roof?”

“Of course, now that you mention it.” I responded.

“Well, as you now know that wasn’t Santa. In fact, it was your father.”

“Wait, what?” my sister said.

“Yeah, he had gone up into the attic to assemble the red wagon for Michael.” The attic trap door fell closed and he couldn’t open it. So he had no choice but to knock on it in hopes of me pushing the latch back open!”

We all roared with laughter.

I’ll say it again, Christmas memories are the best!

Merry Christmas to all!

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