Art & Inspiration A story for H.A.M.B. folks

Here's a story I read, can't take credit for writing it, but thought it was worth sharing with you H.A.M.B. folks.

I hope it won't be deleted.

"There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus?" she snorted...."Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.

For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for.

I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church.

I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two cl***. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. "Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby."

The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it.

Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.

Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were -- ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.

I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.

May you always have LOVE to share,

HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that care...

And may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus!

Merry Christmas, H.A.M.B.ERS

 

And a merry Christmas to you sir!

 

Nice story...Thank you for sharing it with us. And a Merry Christmas to you.

 

I like the stories you find here on the hamb,we need more of this! Merry Christmas to all!


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Merry Christmas.

 

Merry Christmas.

 

Thought this one was special, Merry Christmas

 

Thanks, Merry Christmas!

 

yep, Pay It Forward for Christmas

 

Great story, you little old elf.

 

Old yea, not so little. HO, HO, HO !

 

Pay it forward, indeed!

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Great story. I'm keeping it!

 

Great story. Merry Christmas to all.

 

I love that story every once I a while you need to hear a story like this, so you don't give up on the human race. thank you Tom

 

I wouldn't be surprised if little Bobby Decker still has that coat. Had to read this to the wife at the breakfast table ( old softy had trouble toward the end). The spirit of Santa lives, you just have to Believe. Merry Christmas To All!

 

Brought a tear to my eye. Thanks.

About 2 weeks ago I was walking into Walmat, and there was a little girl selling candy bars for school or whatever the cause was. She was about 10 years old and as I walked by I heard her mom say "were not going home until all your candy bars are sold". The little girl looked cold, it was 10 degrees with wind. On my way out I bought all of her candy bars, $43 = 43 bars. She was amazed when I said I would take them all, and with a beautiful grin from the little girl, she made MY day, and I hope she went home and got warm. Candy bars for everyone in my family.
Tony

 

Good on you, Tony.
And a great story, too.

 

Great story Bob.I hope we can meet when spring comes around. Maybe the 56 Chrysler will be ready and we can chew the fat, in the mean time MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and your family. P.S. at least your story didnt didn't cost you $250.Like my Christmas story did. LOL. Bruce.

 

Both stories are wonderful. Thank you both so much for sharing. Merry Christmas to all from Myrtle Beach. Mike


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Great story and the spirit of Christmas lives on thanks for posting and merry Christmas.

 

Merry Christmas!

 

If Bobby Decker is like me, all his clothes can fit in a Wal Mart bag, while the wife needs a walk in closet.

 

What a great gesture, Merry Christmas !

 

Merry Christmas to you Bruce and Mrs Bruce. Looking forward to an "in person" meeting.

 

Merry Christmas !

 

Merry Christmas to my home state !

 

Lovely stories, Merry Christmas from the UK

 

Merry Christmas to Everybody

A Great Story!

you made my Day. Thank you