A Really Great Christmas Dream! Santa's Granny advertises for a helper and a girl shows up for the job.

Then the old lady sat down in her chair and took up her knitting. She was knitting a rather fantastic red wool hat (yes, a Santa hat) but stylized in a practical way with ear muffs. Then she began to tell the girl this story:

"Santa is real, dear. But he's not just one guy. People get old and die, you know. The first Santa has become a bit of legend and we don't know how much of the story is true. He prayed for people around the world, especially kids. He was a carpenter and made toys and rocking chairs and such like. . ." (I noticed the rocking chair she was sitting in and wondered.)

"Around Christmas time one year, that first Santa either made, or was given a time-space machine-"

"A time machine!" The girl interrupted. "You mean the sleigh is a time machine?"

"Well, yes dear. It does rather look like a sleigh, and it rings whenever it arrives somewhere."

"What about the reindeer?" The Amy asked, much amused, but feeling hopeful about her budding story."

"I've often wondered about that," the old lady admitted. "I think perhaps there may have been reindeer in the old days. Although, Chris thinks the first Santa may have called the gears of the sleigh "reindeer", as a joke."

"Chris?" the Amy inquired, not missing the irony of that name.

"Oh, you'll meet him later when he comes by to get his hat. I've been making hats for Santas at Christmas every year since I married mine. He's passed away now, and I do miss him this time of year. . ."

"You married a Santa?" The Amy asked, delighted. The story kept getting better.

"Why yes, did I leave out that part of the story? No, I remember, I was still telling you about the first Santa. You see, the first Santa used his time-space machine to deliver gifts to children all over the world."

"Did he make them too? In a shop with elves?"


more coming. . .

"Did he make them too? In a shop with elves?"

"No, dear. Well, a Santa might make a gift for someone, just as you might. But, mostly the parents give presents to the children. This has nothing to do with Santa. But, there are a few - a very special few gifts that only Santa can deliver. These are the gifts that God sends to the children. Santa is just the delivery boy for those gifts. That is what the time-space machine has been for from the beginning."

"So, you're saying there have been other Santa's since the first one?"

"Oh, a great many, deary. A very great many. My own husband was the son of a Santa. He kept up the work for 60 years before Chris joined him."

"Chris again. Is he the new Santa?"

"Yes, yes. Of course. He should be here soon. I should heat some more water so he can have a cup of tea before he goes. Are you dressed warm enough for an evening out, dear? It can get cold in that drafty old sleigh."
Amy was speechless this time, watching the old lady put on the kettle and then pick up her knitting again.

"Last few purls," the old lady commented to herself as Amy went over her notes.

Her mind was racing with the charm of the story. It was so lovely, she wished it were true. She could think of nothing in the world she would rather do than spend her life delivering presents from God to children who needed or deserved some special gift.

The old lady tied off her knitting and picked up scissors to cut the thread. At that moment both women heard the sound of sleigh bells.

"He's here!" The old lady cried joyously. "I finished just in time."

The door opened and a young man with a dark blond beard came through the door. He wore a red down jacket and black boots over black snow pants. His hair and beard were covered with snow.

He laughed and dusted the snow off himself before he bent down to kiss the old lady's cheek while she pulled the wool hat over his tousled head.


one more coming. . .

"It fits you, Chris. Do you like it?"

"What would I do without my hat every Christmas, Granny?" He asked, with a booming laugh. "Have you got a cup of tea for me before I go?"

For the first time "Chris" seemed to notice the extra person in the room. He turned to look at the journalist girl with curiosity and a bit of caution.

"Now, Chris," the old lady began in a pleased voice, "this is Amy, and she's come to be your helper. We've had a very nice afternoon together waiting for you, Chris. Here is your tea."

But Chris was still looking at the girl, both hopeful and a bit dubious. In his life so far, he never met anyone who actually believed he was Santa. He especially never expected anyone to believe enough to join him in the work. Besides, the girl was cute.

Amy rose slowly to her feet, in awe of the whole situation. A growing desire to keep following this story in real life grew inside of her, but she was at a loss for words.

Chris gulped down his tea and looked at the girl again. The old lady looked at her as well.

"Are you coming with me?" He asked, turning toward the door.

Amy nodded, firmly, and with a growing smile. "I'm coming with you," she said, as the old lady wrapped a bright red scarf around her neck.

"You'll need this, dear. It can get cold in that drafty old sleigh."

The two went out the door into the blowing snow. I saw an old red sleigh in the road beyond them, and then the door closed.


At this point I woke up.

The End!


Whew! The electricity went off just as I was writing the last paragraph and the computer turned off. I had not saved anything. But when I rebooted, it was all still there. Hope you enjoy. Merry Christmas!

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