Giving Away Santa’s Adornments

There aren’t many kind words spoken about my first husband.

And I aim to keep it that way.

But in the spirit of Christmas, one positive story regarding the ex-spouse came to mind.

It’s a fine tale. One filled with generosity, love and best wishes for children. It has all the sentiments and tenderness one expects for this season.

The Story Goes…

The year was 1985. It was mid-December and Chicago already had its fair share of snow on the ground. More was expected that evening — just enough to make things more slippery and wet. And to snarl up the holiday traffic.

My boyfriend at the time (for today’s purposes, we’ll call him Kent) was enlisted in the Marine Reserves. As part of his duties, he and his buddies were stationed at the US Marine Corps Mobilization center on Foster Avenue on Chicago’s north side. The enlisted men were there to assist with the annual Toys for Tots drive… a holiday tradition wherein local motorcycle enthusiasts load toys and gifts onto their bikes and participate in a holiday parade down the wintry streets of Chicago.

That year, the parade ended at the Marines’ Mobilization center, where hundreds of children waited to meet Santa Claus and receive one of the many gifts that were donated by generous souls.

As luck would have it, Kent was chosen that afternoon to play the role of Santa Claus. One of his superiors handed him Santa’s suit, along with all the bits and pieces that go with: stuffing for the belly; hat; white gloves; black belt with lustrous gold buckle; a garland of bells to create merriment.

Kent gladly changed out of his fatigues and into the Santa suit. He spent time fitting the trimmings onto Santa’s clothing. Finally, he looped a long white beard and moustache around his ears. A jaunty red hat completed his cheerful ensemble.

“HO HO HO!” Kent bellowed loudly, trying out his deepest Santa voice.

He grinned, knowing he was in for a special occasion. An evening of meeting excited boys and girls and making their Christmas a bit more special.

The festivities went on for a few hours. There was music, along with cookies and punch. A decorated holiday tree stood at the front of the hall, alongside which sat Santa’s reception chair, where Santa (er, Kent) took each child one by one onto his lap and asked them what they wanted for Christmas.

“HO HO HO!” Kent repeated for two hours. “Merry Christmas!”

His throat grew hoarse. His face was soon itchy from wearing a false beard and moustache. His feet grew sweaty as he wore the heavy black boots that came with the job.

None of that mattered, as he saw the myriad of responses from the children he lifted onto his knee. Some were shy. Others knew exactly what they wanted and weren’t afraid to ask. A few merely wept from fear of the oversized Kent dressed in bright red, and they reached for their mothers’ arms.

The event finally neared to an end. Except as he looked around for more gifts to hand to the remaining few children anxiously waiting in line, Kent realized there were no more toys beneath the Christmas tree.

He looked at his superiors, who merely shrugged. They were out of ideas. Being gallant marines, they all realized they couldn’t turn away any single child without making their evening special.

That’s when Kent immediately knew what to do.

He removed the furry red hat from his head. “Say, how would you like Santa’s hat?” he offered to the next “customer” in line.

“Oh yes!” the small child cried out. “I’d love that.” She left Santa’s chair grinning from ear to ear, clutching the red hat to her chest.

The next child came and Kent extended his garland of jingle bells. The boy was ecstatic as he returned to his family. “Looky here!” he shouted, shaking the strand of merry makers. “I got Santa’s very own jingle bells!”

Next the belt with shiny gold buckle came off.

Mr. Claus’ gloves.

Even the big black boots.

And finally, the fuzzy white beard and moustache.

Santa’s accoutrements were gladly given to the wide-eyed youngsters.

By then, Kent’s secret was out. He was a Marine merely dressed as Santa Claus for the occasion.

Except the children didn’t seem to mind.

“Those kids were more tickled to receive a piece of Santa’s clothing,” Kent happily relayed to others after the event. “They showed more emotion and joy versus the children who merely received a toy.”

Indeed, the children were celebrating the fact that they had a personal connection to Santa. They were proud owners of something that was an integral part of Mr. Claus. They went home that evening filled with triumph, along with a great story to relate to their friends.

It’s possible that Kent was the one who went home the happiest that night. As he maneuvered through the sloppy streets of Chicago, the messy weather didn’t bother him at all. His evening ended on a lighthearted note, due to the children’s reactions.

After all, he realized the tiniest gestures of genuine caring can bring contentment to so many.

Himself included.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.