Join Now
foxysdad 
1:07pm, October 19, 2009
Right after Thanksgiving in the early 1950s, my hometown became magical. It became filled with the magic of Christmas. It was everywhere! Downtown,,uptown,,all over town. There was a special place on a street just over from main street. An ordinary place most of the year, but at Christmas, the ordinary bike shop was one of the favorite places for children. Every night there was a line of cars waiting to look at the small shop. They would stop and kids would jump out and run to the window. A pale blue light shined on a figure dressed in a deep, dark cranberry red velvet suit and cap. Snow white fur rings the neck and travels down the front of the coat, where it circles the bottom. The white fur forms the band of the pointed cap topped with a fur ball. Just above the bottom of the coat, a wide shiny black belt buckles in front. The pants are tucked into shiny black boots. A snow white beard flows from the cherry cheeked, sparkling blue eyed figure. It's Santa Claus! He stands, silently, by himself, waiting for a little boy or girl to push a special button at the right of the window. It's when the button is pushed that the magic happens. He comes to life, turning his head from side to side as his arms move up and down and his body bends at the waist looking at the children. "Ho-Ho-Ho! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! Have you been good little girls and boys?" comes from a hidden speaker. The children nod their heads yes and wait to see what happens next. Suddenly, There's a "clank" at the side of the window and in a little tray, a small cellophane wrapped candy cane appears. Many of these cars will return on other nights. Not for the candy, but to see the magic. It's not every night that a mannequin comes to life in a small Texas town.
Comments
Glad you are sharing your stories again this holiday time. A happy admirer, Sue
suemollybelle