Here Comes Santa Claus

What an incredible honour.

It really was.

A few days ago when Mike and Marissa were visiting with the kids, I had a little conversation with Ruby. She was helping out with decorating the tree and talking excitedly about Christmas. This is the first year that she understands a bit about the season. While she may not get the finer points about the birth, the manger, the three kings, she does get Santa Claus.

I asked her what gift she had asked Santa Claus to give her on Christmas day. She looked at me very seriously. She considered the question. I waited. She leaned forward and whispered, "A Barbie and a Barbie car.' Suddenly I realized that this little request of a tiny girl to a powerful being for a special gift represented, perhaps, her first wee prayer.

There was a real softness, a mystical tone, in her voice when she answered. I immediately felt honoured that she had shared this with me. That she trusted me enough to let me into that part of her heart where she harboured secret wishes.

Then after work last week, Joe and I drove up to a Toys R Us store. Thank God for disabled parking!! We went through the store and found Barbie and her pink car. We scooped it up and I sat grinning unselfconsciously in my wheelchair with this treasure in my lap. I was thrilled with the purchase and our role in this little life.

You parents, wow, isn't it great to find out that Santa does exist, it's just that he's been snoozing in the corner of your heart waiting for a tiny voice to make a little wish.