One evening in early November, we decided to take a trip to the mall. It had been a very long week, but we had a few stores to peek at with intentions of gathering some early Christmas ideas. The season still portrayed pumpkins and falling leaves; however the spirit of Christmas was already blossoming.
When we arrived at the mall, Santa and his crew were already preparing for his month-long visits with all the children. We hadn’t expected to see him yet, and neither did our two children, ages six and three. This was an opportune moment for us! A sneak-peek of Santa testing out his chair proved to be successful. Our girls were at odds all week, bickering, crying, and disobeying. Surely, Santa’s appearance would test their obedience skills! No, it was not time to sit in Santa’s lap; however, we hovered behind the ropes of his corner and pointed out to the girls that Santa was watching them and that we could certainly have a talk with him about how they have been acting. Vigorously shaking their heads, the girls promised to try harder to behave. With a little wave, we were off on our way to begin our task of shopping.
As my husband agreed to take our six year-old up the escalator, my three year-old and I took the elevator with our stroller and belongings. The glass elevator overlooked Santa’s environment. I hurried my little girl into the elevator and pointed toward the glass, telling her to peer out and look for Santa Claus, as he is surely keeping his eye on her. In we went, and as the door began to close, a gloved hand reached through so that the door re-opened. As we turned to see who it was, Santa stood there in his red velvet suit, peering down through his spectacles at the little one! Her jaw dropped as far as it would go, and she ran to the corner of the elevator to hide behind our stroller! Santa asked in his deep voice if he could ride the elevator with her. All she could do was stare at him with widened blue eyes. She couldn’t believe Santa was standing inches from her! He asked her if she was going to be good, and told her he was getting ready to tuck in for the night with some milk and cookies.
I have never seen a more shocked look on such a little face. My little one was amazed. As we reached the upper level of the mall, the door opened, and there stood my six year-old and my husband. My six year-old leaped backward and had a mixed expression of joy and surprise. Santa rode the elevator with her little sister! And here he was standing in front of her. He grinned at her and off he went. My two girls couldn’t stop talking about their Santa experience. Asking my little one if she wants to ride on the elevator with Santa again lights up her eyes and gets her mind wondering about whether she’s on the “nice” list!