FanStory.com - Chistmas Morning Joyby HarryT

On Christmas Eve, Mom helped Steve, our five-year-old, and Laura, his three-year-old sister, bake a dozen chocolate chip cookies.

“Mom,” Do you think Santa likes chocolate chip?” Steve said.

“I’m sure he does. You do, right?

“Yeah,” Steve said.

“Me too,” Laura said.

“Guys, don’t worry.”

Laura watched Mom put three cookies on a plate. She touched Mom’s hand and said, “Hope Santa comes.”

“I think he will,” Steve said. “He came last year, remember?”

“Yeah,” Laura giggled.

Mom said, “Okay, later I’ll get milk, and I have some carrots for the reindeer.”

Christmas Eve evening, the children arranged the carrots and Santa’s treats by the fireplace and then Mom and Dad tucked them in their beds.

The sun was just waking up when Steve climbed from his bed and marched over to Laura’s room. He shook her shoulder and said, “Wake up, it’s Christmas! We got to see if Santa came.”

They scampered down the hall, their feet skimming the rug. Mom and Dad followed.

When the children reached the family room, they froze in their tracks.

Steve gazed toward the fireplace and said, “Look, Laura, he ate.”

Indeed, only a few crumbs remained, and the glass was empty. They looked at each other, their faces lighting with joy.

“Laura’s eyes wide, clapped her hands and said, “He feeded the reindeer too!”

“Mom and Dad, Santa was here,” Steve yelled.

Laura said, “Mom, look. He eat the cookies we made!”

Steve shouted, “Look, Laura!” pointing to the tree.

A pile of presents awaited them. Way back then, for Steve and Laura, the magic was knowing that Santa had come and enjoyed their treats and, of course, brought most of the presents Mom had written on their lists. It’s a time remembered with fondness by all four of us.