Everything Santa.org
designed by Bill Hoagland free website templates
It started like this...
I always had a dream of building a tiny house on a 18 foot car trailer. Now that would havebeen fine, but I can never do something simply, so last December I had an idea.
How do I take my love of building, being Santa and helping my community? The answer is, I build my tiny house keeping Christmas in mind and room enough for a holiday photo studio and in November I start to park it at non-profits and while we're there all profits made from photo sales go to that particular non-profit.
So far I had purchased a new car trailer and a older Chevy dually and a tree wrecked RV for parts over a period of 5 years.
There are many stories over the years, here are a few of my favorites!
1) So here is my first story. Last year when I started to work in a local school it was right before Christmas. Sitting at me desk one day I was approached by a young fella. Looking me straight in the eye he said " Mr. G I know you're not Santa Claus....but....just in case could I give you my list?"
2) So I volunteered at the train show yesterday for a hands on table with the children. So low and behold I had a few climb up into my lap to talk Christmas lists......imagine that! Now this is a comment from a friend who's grandchildren came by "my daughter came home from train show and said there was a really nice guy there who looked like he could be Santa Claus and further fueled that perception in her and her 3 kids ( had four with her) because he was especially kind and let kids push the buttons, unlike the others there who wouldn't allow touching of trains. After they left, 8-year-old grandson, much too cynical for his age, said, " maybe there really is a Santa Claus after all." I said, was his name Rick George? She said, " yes." Small world! Thanks Rick for restoring Isaiah"s faith ( and innocence) in one of the great childhood privileges - believing in Santa and the magic of Christmas! ....Now, my grandson really thought Rick was Santa even though he made it clear that he was not!'............ Now this is why I do what I do!!!!
3) Some cool thoughts on a hot day......So I stopped at Toys-R-Us on Friday, wasn't in the best of moods a little under the weather (I know I can't believe it either) I had walked in with two woman and two children that the moms were now putting the kids in shopping carts. I was purposely staying out of other peoples way and enjoying my little respite. About 20 minutes into my wanderings I noticed that the folks that came in with me were kinda always within sight. As I was coming out of the action heroes aisle one mom politely came over to me and asked if I would mind coming over to talk to her daughter in the shopping cart because the little one was sure I was Santa. I replied "that's funny because I am one of the Santa's". The young lady and I had a great conversation ending with I'll see you in a few months. My mood melted away making me realize how blessed I am. So now the Questions: How is it that children recognize me? Is it the belly?, The red suspenders or do you think it's the big white beard?
4) Though I have portrayed Santa for 26 years and felt very good about it, it was in a visit last year that the true Santa Christmas spirit really hit home. It was about a week before Christmas last year that I received a call from a friend asking for a visit at a special home, Christmas Eve. Now to digress for a minute, Christmas Eve is the night that I gather with my family ( my Children, grandchildren, brother, sister, mom, nephew, nieces etc.) I reluctantly asked......Christmas Eve? Honestly my mind was racing with thoughts of but, but, but this is my night to see my children and grandchildren, MY family, MY time. BUT, what came out of my mouth was when and where and I made a call to my family to say I would be late Christmas eve. I argued with myself a bit more and my final comment to myself was "hey pal you're the one that decided to don the red suit so many years before now stow the banter and move on". My friend told me that I would be met outside and given gifts to bring inside in true Santa fashion. Something in her tone had a measure of sadness so I asked if she could share the story. Well it seems that Grandma and Grandpa were to travel over Christmas a great distance to be with their family for the holiday, reservations were made, presents forwarded out there and they were good to go....but you see grandma had been valiantly battling cancer and her upturn rapidly turned down. Grandma was no longer able to make the trip. The whole family changed their plans and made a bee line for Grandma and Grandpa. Hastily they packed up children and clothes and headed "home" to mom and grandma to celebrate as a family once again. The family was at a loss because there was no room for gifts and such and they wanted their children to have as normal a holiday celebration as possible. Hence their friend here(an angel) put her and her families life on hold, did some last minute shopping and grabbed a semi reluctant Santa. As I stifled my tears of sadness and shame at my initial reluctance I choked out it would be my honor to help. As I suited up and headed to the little house I prayed to God for the strength to be the best Santa that I could be. Truthfully I was feeling terribly inadequate on how to make this appearance and bring a modicum amount of joy in the face of such sadness. I felt the presence of my dad with me that night, I felt his hand on my shoulder and his gentle voice whispering in my ear "you can do it Ricky, you can do it". Arriving at the house I was met by the "Angel" that had arranged this last minute surprise and the gifts. Taking a deep breath I walked through the door with a hearty HO HO HO and a Merry Christmas, instantly I was surrounded by laughing, clapping children "Santa is here, Santa is here" they chanted. The room was aglow with Christmas lights, smiling faces and much joyous goings on. "Santa sit over here" Santa did you bring me a football, Santa did you bring me a doll" Santa, Santa, Santa, Santa sit by me" I have never felt more love, warmth, and Christmas spirit, especially in the face of such future uncertainty. and off to the side but centrally located and surrounded by family and love sat a very frail, grandma, mother, aunt and friend with a faint beautiful smile and while her body was letting her down I could see an inner strength. The kind of strength that you see from a mother that puts their own great needs on hold to minister to the needs of their loved ones. The children literally swept me up and we gave out the gifts and all grandmas children and friends laughingly bumped into each other as they tried to get the best pictures of their children, I saw no sadness in the room at all but I felt and saw a families great love for each other and that evening I felt the Holy Spirit's presence moving in and about us all bringing about feelings of joy and peace and unconditional love. I was swept along too and yes my little friend got his football. Taking my cue I arose and said that Santa had to get back to the North pole because it was indeed Christmas Eve and there was a lot of work to be done. The family stopped me and asked if it would be ok to take one more picture with the children and grandma in her chair. As my eyes were welling up and the lump in my throat wouldn't allow me to speak I put on my best Santa smile and nodded yes. Santa stand behind grandma and you kids gather round Santa and grandma, "now get closer". I don't know why but I slipped my hand down the front of the chair and gently rested it on grandmas frail shoulder just as quick grandmas frail hand came up and cradled my hand within hers. I felt a strength and warmth come through her hand into mine as if she was comforting me. The smiles and thank you's and Merry Christmas's filled my ears as I opened the door and said my goodbyes. I was 10 steps away from my car when I heard the voice of my football player "Santa, Santa" I hastily wiped my leaking eyes on my gloves and turned around . "what is it young fella" Santa I live far from here and I'm afraid you won't be able to find me when you come tonight". "Could you please wake me up when you get here". "young fella I will find you and when I get here if your awake we can chat but if you're not awake I'll whisper Merry Christmas in your ear and when you awake in the morning you will know that Santa was here and wished you a Merry Christmas meant just for you"
No truer statement was ever made than "the Lord moves in mysterious ways" for you see it was I that got the greatest gift, the gift of love and peace and understanding. For you see when I don the red suit now it is with humbleness, love and understanding that all the true believers that don the red suit feel the true meaning and feelings of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus who taught us all to love one another as we love ourselves and brought us peace, unconditional love and salvation.........
5) Lori Fyfe Wrote;
Things overheard by some of the 4th grade children last night,
at the Milford Tree Lighting.
The fire truck pulls up. Enter Santa
Their mouths drop.
"Oh Man, I told you it was Mr. George! he is the REAL deal!!!"
"This is the REAL Claus, we totally figured this out!"
"Santa IS real!!"
"His motorcycle, totally turns to sleigh don't you think?"
"The side car on his motorcycle, is for Mrs. Claus and elves!"
"Do you think "Mayor Blink" knows?"
30 minutes later.....
"How did they contact him???"
1 hour later...
"JFK is a good cover to keep an eye on us."
From the bottom of Annmarie & my hearts.. thank you! These memories we will treasure, and for making the magic live longer for us all. XO
6)