Letter from Santa

Dear Editor and readers of The Times,

As I began my exit through the hallways behind the scenes at a mall last week, I saw my Santa's Helper and asked if the reindeer were okay.

He smiled and said the young ones always think the grass is greener outside the pens. This time not only was that grass greener, but it was artificial. Alas, a learning experience for another young reindeer.

You see, Santa's sleigh is pulled by experienced reindeer, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and of course, Rudolph. Santa's Helpers have a sleigh pulled by reindeer in training.

Back at the sleigh, I had a message from Mrs. Claus to return to Waitsburg and Touchet for the visits with the students at the elementary schools. The kitchen staff at Waitsburg Elementary, always at work in the wee hours, was there to meet me as I greeted them with a Merry Old "Ho Ho Ho."

Santa would be remiss if he didn't mention Mark Pickel (Waitsburg Elementary School Principal and Superintendent) was also there in the wee moments of the day to meet me. He was there to work shoulder to shoulder with the staff to feed and jump-start the students' day with a smile and some positive guidance.

The same thing goes for the staff at Touchet Elementary School, another excellent elementary school. Teachers need your support and praise for all they do. Recently, an elementary school music teacher shared with me that the school's principal had once been one of her students! What a special treat for both.

I am always thrilled to my bones when I hear a small child's sweet laughter and giggling. The joyful sounds remind us of our innocent youth as well. The days when we didn't have a care in the world except for what surprise might be in our lunchbox, like a special sandwich, cookie, or a sweet note from mom.

When you read this, there will only be "three sleeps" left until Christmas morning. That gets me stirred up with the realization that I only have "one sleep" left before I must get all the toys and presents ready and loaded onto the sleigh for the most thrill-packed ride of my year.

Merry Christmas, and don't forget I can't stop at your house until you are asleep. Goodnight sweet children, no matter how old you are! Ho Ho Ho!

Santa Claus

North Pole