Santa Claus Remembered

A senior was questioned by his grandson about Santa. How we react is not always easy. Could give us a senior moment. Here is what happened.

"Santa, my dear boy, is older than your grandfather. A lot older. Just how he got his start I really can't remember but he was around when I was your age. He dressed pretty much the same: red suit, white trim, boots and a snowy white beard."

"But Grandpa, how did he get down the chimney, eat those homemade cookies, and not get dirty?"

"A good question, Lad. Very good. I guess I don't know the answer but I have often wondered how a portly ol' soul like that could even get up on the roof much less slide down those skinny chimneys."

"That's easy, Gramps. The reindeer dropped him off."

"Ah, yes, I never thought of that I guess."

"How come he got my letter but gave me the wrong gift. Oh, it was OK but not really what I asked for."

"Well, my Boy, I suppose Santa had a lot on his mind, a schedule to keep, and a ton of requests like yours."

"Yeah, I guess so. He is human after all, isn't he?"

"Human? Well, I guess he is. I hear you went shopping yesterday with your Mom and sisters. Did you see any Santas?"

"Yeah, three of them. One in each department store. Funny thing, I thought maybe Santa visited all three stores just before we got there. But you know something? All three Santas were different. One was quite young with an ugly beard. Another was old and fat and his outfit didn't fit too well."

"Did you talk to Santa?"

"Nope. But my sisters did. They visited all three and rattled off their lists. I guess I felt maybe I was a little too old so I let them do it."

"So, you saw three Santas? Glad you let your little sisters visit Santa. That was really nice of you."

"No problem, Grandpa. You know, I think I just figured out something. If there were three men playing Santa Claus, then Santa must be human. But if there is another Santa Claus with a sleigh, reindeer and flies through the sky, then maybe there is an imaginary Santa as well as human ones."

"You know, my Boy, I think you're a genius for figuring that out so well. Good job."

"No problem, Grandpa. Thanks for helping me answer my question."