The Christmas the Santa Secret Got Out

The Christmas the Santa Secret Got Out

Lori was four when we spent our Christmas in Los Alamos with her grandparents, great-grandparents, and Aunts Jeanne and Janice.

Great-grandpa Leslie loved to play Santa. Great-grandma Olga made his beautiful costume to which he added a snowy white beard, wig, gloves, and black mukluks.

Grandma Shirley opened the front door after much excitement in the prelude to his entrance. He entered carrying his pillowcase full of gifts slung over his shoulder.

Lori's dark eyes were wide as she jumped up and down in her little gray woolen dress and festive red velvet ribbons.

Santa had arrived and she was clinging to his leg in adoration. As he bent down to greet her, she paused and that moment happened. It was the moment we've all seen when a believer realizes the truth. It was her great-grandpa.

She processed this shocking reality and in true Lori style, rebounded for the sake of us all and now, fully aware, was one of those who knew the Santa Secret.

She played along with the rest of us because that's the empathetic girl she was and is. I hope she gets to see the moment in her grandchildren. It's something one never forgets.

It's a rite of passage.