The Time my Brother Ruined my Christmas Dream
Do not — I repeat DO NOT — read this story to a Santa-loving child…
…unless you want to be a dream-crushing killjoy like my brother, Mike.
Here’s the story…
It was Christmas Eve, 1971.
Mom, Dad, Mike and I were in Snowmass, Colorado, enjoying a Christmas break ski vacation.
After a long day on the slopes, we ate an early dinner and played a round or two of Chutes and Ladders. Then it was bedtime.
As I got into my PJs, I reminded Mom to put out a plate of cookies for Santa.
And then something occurred to me.
“How does Santa know we’re here in Snowmass and not at home in St. Louis?” I asked.
Dad pretended he hadn’t heard me, and he left the room.
Mom said, “Ummm…” and started at her slippers.
Nine-year-old Mike filled the void.
“There is no Santa, you dummy.”
The room went silent.
I turned to Mom who was still staring at her slippers.
She tried to salvage the situation. “Don’t be silly, Michael. Of course, Santa is real.”
(She always called him “Michael” when he did something wrong.)
But the gig was up. The reindeer was out of the bag.
I knew it was true. There is no Santa. And (yep!) I felt like a dummy.
I walked up to Mom and asked, “Can I eat the cookies?”
I went to bed with a belly full of Chips Ahoy and eyes full of tears.
But the next morning, I woke boiling over with anticipation — just like the Christmases before and the Christmases after.
Anticipation is a beautiful, powerful thing. Looking forward is lovely. And that Christmas morning in 1971, I felt that lovely anticipatory glow…
…even without silly old Santa.
Speaking of anticipation…
…build it in your audience when you can.
Let them know something wonderful is coming…
…and leave them hanging…
…with that lovely, anticipatory glow.
Like this:
Tomorrow — to celebrate Christmas and the first day of Hanukkah — I will climb down the chimney and arrive in your inbox bearing gifts.
No need for you to give me milk and cookies.
Until then…
Don't go away yet..
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