Up to the schoolhouse, quick quick quick,
Sit down by the chimney with Old St. Hick!
Every year, Hick plays Santa for a local school organization. He buys small toys that are pretty much age-appropriate. Nothing fancy, just a little trinket so the kids get something from Santa. He's a big hit. This little visitor was pleased as punch. My artist's rendering did not do justice to the smile.
For the most part, Hick is a good egg.
Though I might not go so far as to call him "Saint" Hick.
The fact that he goes out of his way to do this tells me he has a big heart. He seems to be one of the traditional grumpy men who get grumpier as they get older, but deep down inside, he is a pussy cat. Thanks Santa Hick. A lot of children will have a better Christmas just because of you, you old grump. Ranee (MN)
ReplyDeleteHick is only grumpy with mainly ME (can you imagine?) and The Pony, and sometimes Genius.
DeleteHick also gives out gloves and hats to kids shopping at his Storage Unit Store, and sometimes small toys. With the permission of their accompanying adult, of course! Depends what merchandise he has a lot of.
My ex-the-first played Santa for many years for the Army Christmas do. Every payday, each soldier would put an amount into the kitty, with numbers being written into a ledger, then at almost Christmas, Santa and his elves would find out from that soldier what his child or children might like to receive. His ledger was checked as to the amount available, then assorted "elves" would go shopping. I think he did this for about five years running. Then he just drove a decorated vehicle in the Christmas Pageant for a couple of years.
ReplyDeleteIt's rewarding to keep that Christmas magic going for kids when they're still young enough to believe!
DeleteChristmas magic is all about the children. I miss hosting breakfast with Santa here. Not enough kids here right now, and my Santa's cancer has returned. He would dress up for the kids, but he can no longer pop them up to his knee. I still know how to flip pancakes ...
ReplyDeleteThe grandma of HOS (Hick's Oldest Son) and The Veteran always said, "Christmas is for kids, New Year's is for adults."
DeleteI DO miss getting presents to surprise the kids on Christmas morning. I also miss buying school supplies for them every August. You can take the teacher out of teaching, but you can't take the nerd out of the teacher.
Christmas is the lightin childrens' eyes! Although Bill made a school group's holiday memorable. He was trotting down the hall away from his granddaughter's girlscout group when h=is vlevert red pants hit hos ankles exposing his bklue jeans thanl goodness. I;m sure fifteen years later they are still talking about that Ho Ho Ho.
ReplyDeleteI imagine there were never so many people thankful for blue jeans at one time!
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