Santa's Secret With Zak

Greetings from Santa's Friend!

Dear Friends,

Periodically Santa will make some comment to the effect that "He is singular in that he is plural." What he is referring to is that whereas people often think of him as a single entity he is actually more than one. Anyone can be a "Santa" if they give or do simply because they love and hide their identity so they can't be repaid by acting in his name.

Recently he had a further comment about this phenomenon. These were his words.

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You were mildly critical of me recently because I always seemed so serious. You said I should laugh more. Well, here is a recollection on the lighter side.

It never ceases to amaze is how little ones deal with me as Santa and me as one of my many alter egos. It can also be the source of amusement.

A few years ago a dear friend of mine was born into sainthood. That is how I prefer to refer to death. Jim and I had been very close during his time on earth. He also had been an excellent father and grandfather. Two of his several grand children were particularly upset when "paw paw" went to heaven and they realized they wouldn't be seeing him for a while. The older of the two was Zak a wonderful little boy, wise beyond his years. His sister, two years younger, was every bit as precocious. Both had a devilish look in their eyes and were a pleasure to be around. I was honored when they asked if I would be their interim "paw paw."

Jim had opened a restaurant thirty odd years ago that had become an excellent example of an Irish, family oriented, public house. I frequently stopped by, disguised as a run of the mill patron. Over the years, however, I had gotten into the habit of stopping by one Saturday morning during December dressed for the season. Over time the regulars, old and young got wind of it and would make a point of stopping by.

One year, as I walked in, garbed in red and white, Zak confronted me. He looked me straight in the eye and said, "Santa, I know."

Now I've been around a long time and I knew what he knew.

My response was, "Yes Zak. I know that you know. That's our little secret."

There was a momentary pause and then his body language said, "It works for me."

The breakfast proceeded and little Zak and his little sister Michaela were very helpful. In fact Zak showed impressive intelligence. Instead of saying something like "Santa, this is Johnny." He would say, "Santa, you remember Johnny." He made it so that I didn't have to remember. Very clever for a six year old.

Finally all had been fed and families started to leave so I could make my exit. When I returned - in mufti - I got a breakfast plate and sat on a long bench at the rear of the restaurant. Because of the earlier crowds the tables were still butted together. Zak, at the other end of the bench spotted me. It was clear he was anxious to tell me something and rather than going around, he got up on the bench and walked over to me on his knees. When he got to me, he pressed as close as he could and out of the side of his mouth, so no one would hear, he said "Paw Paw?"

I said, "yes", also out of the side of my mouth.

He said, " You know our little secret?"

I said, "yes."

And said, "Well, Michaela's blabbing it to everyone."

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Santa was smiling and chuckling as he took off.

We'll be in touch next month.

Santa's Friend

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