Date with Santa: 2004

We hadn't had any parties for a few nights but we did go out to eat and, of course, Santa was dressed in casuals. I had on something red or green and poinsettias in my hair, which seemed to be taken by most people as "Mrs. Claus".

One night we invited a couple from my husband's work to go with us at the last minute. They put the food they were preparing aside and jumped at the chance to go with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. They told us they would follow behind and watch.

When we got to the restaurant, Santa made the rounds to the customers there. I sat with our guests. The children were excited and sometimes the parents were even more excited. One family came to our table to say good-bye as they were leaving. They thanked Santa. They told him they had come for a night out and were leaving with a memory.

Our guests were just taking it all in. We had a nice evening with them. the waitress gave Santa a list of what she wanted for Christmas. The door person let us know that he belonged to the same church that we did. He had seen us leaving the church as he was coming for his meetings. It was a great evening. Somehow the things that are done for free mean so much more than when money is involved.

Mrs. Claus