On Dec. 25, 2013, Christmas morning, I wrote this story about the belief I have in Santa and the joy that belief brings this family. Keep in mind, Christ is the reason ...
Dec. 25, 2013
Our Gifts:
On this quiet Christmas morning, the thought crossed my mind about the number of people who do not believe in Santa Claus and how they miss the joy this day brings.
You see, Santa really is a feeling much more than a sight. It’s what makes one believe what cannot be seen … but it is felt.
As I walked down that short sidewalk to the mailbox to get my daily paper and Smokey and Bear accompanied me as usual, many thoughts race through my mind. The stars are shining brightly overhead, it was peaceful, cold, but yet I felt warmth. Looking over to my left was Silvia, the calico cat I’ve been feeding for months. I now can get within 5 feet and my voice assures her of love and care. Each morning, there she is at the front door waiting on me to bring that pan of food.
Silvia cannot see me until I decide to get up, but yet she believes in what she cannot see.
I look back toward my house and there are the Christmas lights in the small dogwood that Gee put up. Simple but more beautiful than those in Times Square, and it’s strange how 100 lights can shine brighter than thousands lighting a tree in New York.
As I enter the door with my two dogs, Tee greets us with the mischievous romp across the piano, onto the mantle, to the back of the recliner and darts into the stack of Christmas packages disappearing except those two eyes that bring me joy.
I smell the coffee brewing, biscuits in the oven, and sausage on the stove as we await the arrival for family to show up to see what Santa had left during the night. Those aromas that fill the head make their way to the heart and bring back memories of childhood Christmases when brothers and sisters sat around the table, laughed and told stories about their younger days.
Staring in the back door is Sam, our 19-year-old cat that showed up in my garage when just a few weeks old with what I’m sure was the help of a sister or neighbor. John Thomas, the yellow tabby sits on the walkway knowing I’ll be out soon with his plate of food. It’s been a year and a half of feeding and building trust, and now I’m able to get within 10 feet. Don’t know if I would pick him up if I had the chance. He has that “I love you look, but hands-off” attitude.
Frank (named after my father’s white horse), the huge black cat sits comfortably on the deck, and he eats anything and everything. So peaceful and loving, making a few sounds of love and appreciation as we talk to one another.
Most of us are blessed with wonderful friends and family, and I have the added pleasure of being blessed with my four-legged friends as well.
You see, Santa is a feeling, a belief in something that cannot be seen, but yet you know its’ there. Pets are, in a way, an extension of Santa. Mine know I’ll be there to feed and care for them although they can’t see me until my alarm clock named Tee goes off.
I believe in my family, my friends and my pets although I cannot always hear nor see them and they feel the same.
Santa cannot be seen, but I believe. It’s a feeling like no other, it’s a high of all highs, it’s the comfort knowing that love exists and will sustain you even at your lowest hour.
Today is Christ’s birthday. We cannot see him, but we believe, we feel, we are reassured of his love for us as we gather to celebrate. My four-legged friends romp through the house, children hug us as they enter the door and their voices lift our hearts.
"Christ is the reason for the season." Merry Christmas to my friends and family.
Eupora native Mike Brannon of Hernando may be contacted at michaelbrannon45@comcast.net.
