Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - My Santa Claus Memories

It doesn't seem possible that it has been 4 years since the last time I participated in Randy Seaver's Saturday Night Genealogy Fun.

The last time I participated in Saturday Night Genealogy Fun appears to be  December 8, 2013, when I wrote a letter to Genea Santa. Sadly, many of the things I requested are still needed especially the drive I had back in 2009 when I returned to my research after a 10 year hiatus. Back in 2013, I was still grieving the loss of my dad and had no motivation to do a lot of things. These days I'm just busy. Between work, being caregiver for my mom, trying to take care of myself and trying to become more active at church, there just doesn't seem to be a lot of time left for research.

Well enough reminiscing and whining, so without further ado, it's time to get to this week's assignment.

Here is the assignment that Randy tasked us with.

1)  Answer these questions:

a) Did you ever send a letter to Santa Claus?
b) Did you ever visit Santa and "make a list?"
c) Do you still believe in Santa Claus?
d) When did you find out "the truth" about Santa Claus?



1a) 

Growing up, I use to right letters to Santa all the time. I even remember mailing some of them. Looking back, I actually think there was some big warehouse, all those Santa letters got forwarded to before they got sent of to the landfill or to some incinerator.

There was something special about that letter traveling all the way to the North Pole and Santa reading it.

2a)

Back in the day, mom would come home from work and grab my cousin Daryl (1st cousin 1x removed) and I and we would make the annual trek to the Sears in my hometown to have our visit with Santa. It never bothered me to hope up on Santa's lap and give him a detailed list of what I want.

Daryl, on the other hand was terrified of Santa. Every year he would declared he was going to be a big boy and not cry and scream, and every year he would hold it together while we were standing in line but the minute it was his turn to hop up on Santa's knee, he would lose it. Daryl was one year younger than me and to this day, I still pick at him about screaming at the top of his lungs every year during our visit to Santa.

3c) Nope I know longer believe in Santa. That being said I get a tremendous amount of joy from being Secret Santa to boys and girls who wouldn't have a Christmas if it wasn't for the Secret Santa's of the world. Also, even though I've been unable to participate the past two years, I also enjoying helping out at Spirit of Christmas, which the church I attend puts on ever year, because in addition to toys, sometimes children just need a pair of shoes and a warm coat to get through the winter months.

3d) I think I was about 12 years old when I found out Santa no longer existed. I don't think I was snooping, but maybe I was, when I found the doll hidden under my mother's bed. That was the point I knew Santa was a made up thing. I don't remember being sad to discover that Santa no longer existed. I think I was more disappointed than anything.