Thankful for Community

Last night, at the 11th hour, I remembered that Santa would be making an appearance at his classroom's campus. It had sounded good when I first read about it, and I had fully intended to go with the kids.

Then the weather took a nosedive into cold, bone-chilling fog that went right down to (and up from) the ground. Brrrrr! I went into amnesia mode. Until after dinner, one hour before the event's end.

I put it to the kids: go outside and brave the cold to go visit Santa or stay home where it was warm? Silly Mommy, Santa it was!


The night was dark and frigid. Overhead, the beautiful full moon could clearly be seen through the stark tree branches. The stars looked like icy diamonds. If we had to have a clearing in the weather, that was a nice time to have it.

Once at the campus, I thought we were too late. The school was not lit up and only a couple of cars were in the lot. Luckily we followed 2 people, who arrived shortly after us, to the gym. There inside was a little bit of Winter Wonderland, lovingly brought to life by the hard-working staff of James' preschool.

There was Santa, on a nice big rocker, in front of a classical snowy backdrop and several live Christmas trees. Several life-sized Nutcrackers stood at attention in several areas and over in another corner, Charlie Brown and Lucy smiled by another tree. At one long table, kids were decorating white photo frames. At another, they made green & red pasta necklaces.

One of the teachers was taking photos of the kids with Santa -- that was the fundraiser for James' school. I felt pretty sheepish that I had not realized this, and was glad I'd paid for 2 photos.

Click-click-flash-say cheese! Over and over. The kids hammed it up, both shy and delighted to be so near to Santa without a crowd of waiting children behind them. James' big sister told him a Secret. James let out a huge "HI!"

We were there for almost an hour, and all the teachers, aides, and administrators made us feel welcome and special. This is such a caring community of hard-working people who love our little special ones. I am very thankful. Thankful we came, thankful they're there ... thankful they care so much.