"Take Joy!"...

...is the title of a book given to me as a Christmas gift in 1970. It is the Tasha Tudor Christmas Book..Songs, stories, poems and things to do for a family Christmas.

This photo was taken last weekend at a private "Breakfast with Santa" that I have had the privilege of being invited to by Daniel's Grandparents, John and Charlene Vas. This breakfast is hosted by their long time family friend, financial advisor John Lorec (sp?).

A lovely affair held this year at the Clifton Club, and private members only club on the lake in Lakewood, Ohio.

On the drive to the location, Daniel and I drove past a lone Santa standing in a driveway. There was no car or vehicle in sight and Santa just waved at us, but he had a very forlorn look on his face. Daniel and I waved back and then we started wondering what Santa was doing out on the street all alone with no vehicle in sight.

Daniel decided that perhaps Santa had an accident and was waiting for the police. Perhaps..perhaps not. Daniel's concern was that maybe Santa would not be able to come to the breakfast. I remained positive and said I'm sure he would come.

We drove into Fairview Park and suddenly appeared a very large deer. He was standing on the lawn of a neighborhood home and he was limping. He was a very unusual deer in that three quarters of his body was totally white fur and his head, neck and front legs were the usual brown. He sported a very, very large rack of antlers, but his limp was bothersome. Sure enough there appeared to be a bloody wound on the inside of his right back leg. We slowed to a stop, but he proceeded to limp to the rear of the property and disappeared. Daniel was quite concerned. He decided that this was Santa's reindeer, and that there indeed had been an accident. He was even more concerned that Santa would not arrive at the breakfast. We drove on and I tried to distract him by singing "Jingle Bells". He was pretty quiet.

(I need to back up a bit and tell you that the previous evening Daniel stayed over so we could get an early start in the morning. When I picked him up his mother spoke with him about meeting with Santa the next day. She reminded him that he had indeed not be "good" as he should so he had to remind Santa of that fact.)

Gratefully, Santa did arrive and Daniel took his turn sitting on Santa's lap and when Santa asked Daniel what he wanted for Christmas, Daniel lowered his eyes and his voice and said "two bones for my two dogs". "Is that all you want for Christmas"? "Yes" said Daniel.

He was silent for a few seconds, and then Santa said he could have his picture taken, and that he needed to smile.

I hope Santa brings the two dogs some bones, but I hope Santa rewards Daniel for his soberness and not asking for something that he thought he did not deserve.

I think that this event qualifies for things to do for a family Christmas, don't you?