There are perhaps two unforgettable Christmas memories that can bring a Yuletide glow; capable of shining in our hearts all the holiday seasons of our lives.  One is believing in Santa Claus, and the other is the opportunity to BE Santa Claus.  Oh the anticipation of Christmas as a child!  The counting down the days, the excitement as an Advent candle was lit at church, proof to us church going students that the big day was indeed getting closer.

I remember the tissue paper wreaths that were made as we sat in front of the TV watching the cartoon, 'Hard Rock, Coco and Joe' on the Garfield Goose Show.  They were such happy memories of childhood. But then you become an adult and the magic is born again through a whole new generation of hopeful, happy children.

Many years ago, before the joy of parenthood was a reality for the young, married couple, a sweet little boy named Ryan brought the magic of Christmas into their lives.

In his short little span of life he had taught his aunt the many firsts in baby care.

Her maternal skills were developed by trial and error while helping to care for her infant nephew.  For example, she learned from the get go that if you plan on giving a newborn baby boy a bath, never -ever leave the undiapered little guy anywhere near your coffee cup, for if you do, you just may find more than coffee in your cup.

He had no way of knowing but he was the reason Christmas shopping that year was made all the more special. 

Toys R Us was soon discovered by this novice aunt and uncle, who stood in awe at the aisles and aisles of toys, all ready and waiting to be brought-for good little girls and boys.

Fire trucks, erector sets and dolls called G.I Joe, seemed to be the predictable toys for boys. How could any of these be exciting for their eight month old nephew?

Up and down the aisles they went, the self appointed Santa and Mrs. Claus, on a merry mission to find the perfect toy for the newest believer in the family. And soon they found exactly what they had been hoping to find. There, standing out among the traditional rocking horses stood the elegance of 'Clip-Clop The wonder horse.'  He was unique because, unlike the horses, he made noise. Clip clop, clip clop, he sounded just like a real horse galloping along.

It had been a perfect night for Christmas shopping.  The snow was steadily falling and the wind was blustery cold as the duo made their way home - the reason for their gleeful spirit secured safely in the trunk of the car.

No sooner had the pricey pony been dragged through the front door when Santa's helper picked up the phone to share the happy news. Who better to understand the excitement than her mom who was caught up in the thrill of being a first time grandma? "Listen carefully," instructed the daughter as she held the phone next to the horse's mouth.  The new grandma listened intently to what sounded like a horse on the giddy-up.  "We got Ryan a talking horse," said the aunt, as her husband stood shaking his head in disbelief..   With the phone still placed beside the horse's mouth, he pointed to the belly where the battery operated voice was really coming from.  Okay, so getting caught up in the moment happened to be her specialty.

Like anxious little kids they counted down the days.  Christmas morning finally dawned and there in front of the tree stood the grandest gift of all, camouflaged by the festive design of a holly and ivy decorated table cloth.

From that day forward , old Clip-Clop became a stationary part of the living room as Ryan traded his rocking chair for the adventures of jockeying solo on his majestic steed.

Through the years the family has grown.  It has been over twenty three years since that treasured toy trotted into our lives on that long ago Christmas morn. Life has blessed us with two children of our own whom, like Ryan, are now adults.

There are some things in life that you can't stop from changing. As we kiss our loved ones under the Mistletoe this year we may notice that our hair is a little grayer and there may be a little more of us to love, but one thing will never change from one holiday season to the next--we'll forever embrace the spirit of family, with its new beginnings and the celebration of knowing that we're all kids, at heart, at Christmastime. And that is the cherished wisdom to which every Santa's helper holds dear.

Kathywhirity @ yahoo.com

Bio

Kathy Whirity lives in Chicago where she shares her life and love with her husband of 28 years, Bill, heir two daughters, Jaime and Katie, and two rambunctious retrievers, Holly and Hannah.  Kathy is a family life columnist for two area papers.

For more of Kathy's writings please visit her web page: KATHYWHIRITY'S MUSINGS FROM THE HEART  http://www.heartwarmers4u.com/members?kathyw