This has been a strange Christmas season, and not just because our small family gathering keeps becoming even smaller once a relative just informed us that her son came down with COVID (thus won’t be joining us).
Rather, what has been the most bittersweet aspect has been that this is the first that my son knows about Santa. He found out earlier this year. He’s 11, and I’m quite certain he’s been onto our secret for at least a Christmas or two, but this was the year when everything was laid bare. He took the news so well, and didn’t seem to be bothered at all by the truth (again, pretty sure he’s been onto us for a while). Honestly, I think I was more upset telling him than he was hearing it, which is what made what he said/did last night really tug at my heart strings. In the most sincerest manner possible, right before he went to bed, he asked if he could put out milk and cookies for Santa. He even tracked the big guy on NORAD. He’s really becoming a pretty great young man, but watching him cling to his childhood rituals…well, it just reminds me how fast he’s growing up and how precious little time we have with him before he’s all grown up.
Compounding all this emotion is that this is the second Christmas without my dad, which only further reminds me of the fleetness of time.
Apologies for being such a sap on this beautiful Christmas Day. May the blessings of the season be with my Penn State family. This board, as it is for so many, remains a true blessing for me, and I thank you all for being here and keeping a smile on my face throughout the years. God Bless.
Rather, what has been the most bittersweet aspect has been that this is the first that my son knows about Santa. He found out earlier this year. He’s 11, and I’m quite certain he’s been onto our secret for at least a Christmas or two, but this was the year when everything was laid bare. He took the news so well, and didn’t seem to be bothered at all by the truth (again, pretty sure he’s been onto us for a while). Honestly, I think I was more upset telling him than he was hearing it, which is what made what he said/did last night really tug at my heart strings. In the most sincerest manner possible, right before he went to bed, he asked if he could put out milk and cookies for Santa. He even tracked the big guy on NORAD. He’s really becoming a pretty great young man, but watching him cling to his childhood rituals…well, it just reminds me how fast he’s growing up and how precious little time we have with him before he’s all grown up.
Compounding all this emotion is that this is the second Christmas without my dad, which only further reminds me of the fleetness of time.
Apologies for being such a sap on this beautiful Christmas Day. May the blessings of the season be with my Penn State family. This board, as it is for so many, remains a true blessing for me, and I thank you all for being here and keeping a smile on my face throughout the years. God Bless.
