IT'S YOU!
BE THE LIGHT
Holidays got you down? Shorter days, cold weather and missing loved ones make this joyful time of year a struggle for many. I'm pretty sure I can bring a smile to your heart with the help of a little boy named Cooper.
PHOTOS WITH SANTA
As many of you know, I hosted a Santa booth again this year, right before Thanksgiving. We were blessed to greet some of the same children from last year and we met some new friends too; each one precious in their own way.
Toward the end of our day, we had a visit from a 3 year old named Cooper. My mom greeted him and his grandma and grandpa. While she was getting their information, Cooper peeked around the wall and caught a glimpse of Santa! He was so excited! However, seeing Santa from a distance is a lot easier than greeting him in person.
Cooper didn't want to approach Santa alone and he surely didn't want to sit on his lap so I pulled up my little red rocking chair next to Santa. I asked Cooper's grandma to join him so he would feel safe. Cooper sat in the little red rocking chair, just his size, as Santa opened his special book and began to read, "Twas the night before Christmas . . . "
As I'm typing this to share with all of you, I have the biggest smile on my face. It was that precious. Here comes the best part!
IT'S YOU!
As Santa continued to read, Cooper had a realization! Santa was in the book and Santa was sitting right next to him! "It's you!" Cooper exclaimed as his grandma looked at me and smiled with joy! We had just witnessed one of those precious childhood moments; one they'll surely treasure for a lifetime.
I quietly told her she could step back by me as I continued to document the sweetest encounter of the day. Cooper read some more with Santa and helped him turn the pages.
They talked about the reindeer and sleigh and all the other pictures in the book and Cooper smiled and gently touched Santa's arm again. He reminded us of the wonder and delight of childhood and of the difference we can make when we are the light in someone's day. Santa brought Cooper joy and Cooper shared it back to each of us tenfold.
As you navigate your way through this time of year, remember there is still joy to be found. Sometimes you have to be the light for others so you can see the light yourself.
I hope Cooper's story made you smile. I hope it brought happy memories to mind. Most of all, I hope it inspired you to be the light for someone.
May the joy you give to others in this season and beyond return to you tenfold.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Carrie, Duane, Grant (Santa), Wyatt & Ava
