I wore the Red Suit Read Online Free PDF Page B

to arrive. I have no control of making sure the media is alerted to my or any other Santa’s arrival date and time. This responsibility falls on the shopping mall sale’s department that notifies the newspapers, radios, and TV stations. The marketing department at the mall just gives me a start date and time. I lost track to the number of people that came up to me and say, “I thought you were coming next week? One woman who looks like she just threw on clothes, whether they matched or not; with three kids in tow said to me, “a friend of mine told me you were at the mall already. I wrapped my children up to come and see you before the crowds started. I missed opening day, and that makes me sad.” Imagine my feelings, as I have just disappointed a mother and child. I went back and checked the papers before opening day for at least two weeks. There was no notice of me coming to the mall. I could find no bulletins, news flash, or blurb.   From then on, I would always talk to the marketing department and tell them that I have my start date, “stop the presses and alert the media!”
     
     
     

    After so many years of perfecting and being the best Santa I could be, I have amassed a large following of kids and parents. They will sometimes wait for an hour in line just for the time their child can sit with me. I have sat with high school teenagers, who in the past were babies sitting on my knee. Those precious five to ten year old kids who wanted a truck, doll, or game, are now grown. Some in college, or working, and some married with children of their own. Several of those older children who graced my knee, have brought their own kids to see the “real Santa.” I have no swelled head here, just a joy that I could keep the Santa mystique alive with so many children; now their children too. What is precious to me is that some of them have brought back the original picture of them as little girls or boys sitting on my lap fifteen years ago. Although, some photos are wrinkled, torn, or the color is starting to fade; rest assured that I remember when that picture was taken.

    Sometimes I run across those kids who try to be like Santa in reverse. There are times children give Santa gifts when they come to visit him at malls or parties. It could be a small toy, figurine, or even a picture of himself or herself. Somewhere along their life they either heard, or reasoned that if you give a gift to Santa, he will remember you when he comes on Christmas Eve. It may or may not have a personal importance to them. I can sense that the children's logic is “if I give something to Santa, then he will bring me something for Christmas. A sort of barter if you will. A child and Santa toy contract, that Santa will not forget them this Christmas. I am not a psychologist, but most times the child who is always in trouble and drives, mommy and daddy crazy. These gifts to me are to square things with Santa. I usually take them if offered, and if the child's eyes reveal they really want me to have it. It is not hard to tell when a child is only making a gesture, and I would respond with thanks, but please keep it. I have also received pacifiers (In which I now have enough to make a good size necklace) baby bottles, cookies, candy and several other items I am still trying to figure out like; diapers, hats and rocks. The parents tell the children that if they give their pacifier to Santa, he will give it to a new baby who needs it. The same goes for baby bottles. It is one-way parents have of breaking their children's dependence on pacifiers, baby bottles, and blankets. Children are not the only ones who bring me something besides a wish list. A family of six brought me a whole meal at the mall where I play Santa. A box packed with meat, potatoes, vegetables, and milk; even desert. I guess I needed fattening up.

    Driving is always fun too. While dressed as Santa behind the steering wheel of my Chevy, cars would stop on a main highway and let me