Okay! Who hated visiting Santa and telling him "secrets" but went 'cause

[KoKo]

Parents made you? Did it "mark you for life" your visit with the Department Store Santa? Did you notice the "fake beard" and garlic sandwich? Or, was your Department Store "Santa" a wonderful experience that kept you going in your "belief" for a few more years?

Which? Destroyed and "Cynical Forever" or "A Believer for Years?"

[TrogL]

1. Multiple "Santas" in the same store

plus one standing outside, one down the street, one in the next store we went to, they were all OVER the damn place.

[KoKo]

2. ROFL! "A Moveable Feat of Santas!" I grew up in "rural area." Only one

or two Santa's withing 50 miles. But, daughter had many Santas. I think it confused her! That's why I asked.....;-)'s

[rasputin1952]

3. There were a thousand Santa's in NYC...

when I was growing up. I was told they were, "Santa's Helpers" because one guy couldn't cover the millions in NYC.

I only sat on Santa's lap once at about age 3 for a pic, (still have it someplace). Told him I wanted a "Mattel 6 Shooter". I did get the six shooter a couple of years later. It actually had spring loaded bullets and cartridges that really shot! Back then, you really could put out an eye!

I actually was Santa, twice, at a hospital I worked at near Seattle!
Went through ped's and the kids were great! Love those smiles. A couple of years later, the bikers in the area started a "Bear Drive", and would collect Teddy Bears for the kids and come and hand 'em out.
About 50 of them showed up each year.

O8)

[KoKo]

4. Thanks for sharing Rasputin. Good to hear your Santa exprience with the

kids. And, I remember the "Santa's Helpers" stories, too. It helped alot when some Santas weren't quite what a little kid expected! :D

[rasputin1952]

6. Thanks...

:hi:there is something about making a kid just a little happier, or feel a little more wanted and cared for that really gets to me.

Some of those tykes were chemo pt's, and it took a lot out of me after it was over....I'd usually shed a few tears on the way home; but it was all smiles and :hug: while I was with them!!!!Wouldn't change that experience for all the money in the world.

The Bikers were pretty cool too. The first year, the papers and local radio stations made a big deal out of it, because these guys can be scary looking to kids,:scared: (and some others as well). But you had to see these guys and gals in with those kids!. They were some of the nicest people that ever visited the hospital. I saw a 50+yo guy with a grey beard and 100 tattoos stroking the tears away from a 5 yo in pain; he was pretty teary eyed too. He kissed his second finger and put it to the kids head, and said, "I wish I could take your pain away, but all I can give you is love". The nurse in the room burst out crying, and a little later, I had to find a place to shed a tear too.:cry: (BTW: that particular kid survived and was discharged about 3 months later, he'd be about 18 now).:bounce:

Not that I want to wax eloquent on this subject, but I spent a lot of time in the medical field; saw a lot, did a lot. There are some stories I could tell you that would break your heart, like mine was broken; but there are some that gave me they heart I have now, stronger, more willing and larger than ever.

O8)

[TrogL]

5. My mother shot me with one of those

she didn't realize it was loaded and actually worked. She was waaaay more freaked out than I was.

[rasputin1952]

7. Those were cool guns!...

couldn't picture getting one these days; but I sure wish I had one to shoot at an Ann Coulter doll with!

:bounce: