I was thinking of that momentous time 65 years ago when I discovered (Dare I say it?) there was no Santa Claus.
Some of my more sophisticated, runny-nosed friends like "Mousey" and "Nanny" had expressed that heresy once or twice. To wit: "There ain't no Santa. Your parents are really Santa Claus". But I was a true believer and not about to buy into that Liberal Claptrap.
And then it happened!!! About a week or so before Christmas I discovered, quite by accident, the Lionel electric train set, which I coveted beyond all coveting. There it was, under my parent's bed!!! Had the red-suited gentleman gotten his dates mixed up and arrived early??
I was confused, bewildered, and mentally unraveled as only an eight year old boy could be. But, I was smart enough not to "trumpet" my newly-found revelation of the truth. To do so could only cast me in the role of some obnoxious little kid who knows everything, and feels compelled to share it with one and all. BUT THE REAL REASON for keeping the discovery to myself was (You guessed it!!) that somehow I could LOSE THE TRAIN SET.
Now, tucked away in this childhood reverie is a spiritual truth. GOD SENDS US GOOD GIFTS, BUT NOT ALWAYS IN THE WAYS WE EXPECTED. He surprises us time and again, just when we thought we knew everything.
Mom and Dad are really Santa Claus?? Come on now!!! Who would have ‘Thunk' it????