Wow, you are making me feel guilty for simply polishing off the plate of cookies and milk we left out for Santa last year! Like your post, it is sweet.
Tired Tunia | Homepage | 12.14.05 - 8:40 pm | #

I love all the chocolate that is threaded through your post. It is the most ordinary memories that turn out to be the truest thing we know about life. The sweetest. The warmest.
Patry Francis | Homepage | 12.14.05 - 9:46 pm | #

Tired Tunia,
Thank you for your comment. Haven't seen you here before, but you're always welcomed to stop by.
Scot
S. L. Cunningham | Homepage | 12.14.05 - 10:23 pm | #

Patry,
Appreciate that. What you say is so true.
Scot
S. L. Cunningham | Homepage | 12.14.05 - 10:25 pm | #

Definitely worth a bookmark. Great blog page.

If you want a really great laugh, read www.horacefinkle.blogspot.com. People these days don't get to laugh nearly enough - this is my remedy!
Horace FinkleHorace | Homepage | 12.15.05 - 6:14 pm | #

Horace,
Thanks for coming by. Appreciate your compliment.
Scot
S. L. Cunningham | Homepage | 12.15.05 - 6:44 pm | #

Scot, you make me realize how much of Christmas I missed by growing up in the tropics. Without snow, it may be Christmas but lacks that extra mystery and beauty. Beautifully written, as usual; how do you make me nostalgic for something I never knew?
Gone Away | Homepage | 12.15.05 - 8:25 pm | #

Clive,
"...that extra mystery and beauty." As always I appreciate how you share your perspective in response to what I've written. It is good when you come by.
Scot
S. L. Cunningham | Homepage | 12.15.05 - 8:47 pm | #

What a sweet post. He must've believed for quite awhile.
rdl | 12.15.05 - 10:53 pm | #

You're a really really cool dad! =)
mike | Homepage | 12.15.05 - 11:27 pm | #

That's one dedicated father. I can only hope to follow your wonderful example when it comes to my own kids.
mojo shivers | Homepage | 12.16.05 - 4:19 am | #

Scot,
What a father you are. No wonder you and your son are so close. No wonder those boys you work with respect you. Character is who you are when no one is looking, when you don't "have to." What character this story shows about you.

I can see why The Village Soup Citizen chose to print it. It's a beautifully-crafted expression of American family values. Dad and son shopping together, discussing life's problems--what if Santa can't get down the chimney?--with respect and concern for each other's ideas.

It's fun, too, how you were so focused on predicting his responses, that you didn't predict what might go wrong for you.

Thank you for giving us all one of your best Christmas memories.
ME Strauss | Homepage | 12.16.05 - 12:33 pm | #

rdl,
Yes he did, and he still does. He plans on doing the same when he has children of his own. I told him he could leave out the slide-off-the-roof part.
Scot
S. L. Cunningham | Homepage | 12.16.05 - 6:06 pm | #

Mike,
Thanks for coming by. I appreciate your comment.
Scot


Mojo,
I'm beginning to enjoy your frequent visits. When you do have kids, enjoy each and every day with them. The time does go by pretty quick. Thanks for coming by,
Scot
S. L. Cunningham | Homepage | 12.16.05 - 6:09 pm | #

Liz,
You're welcome.
It's fun, too, how you were so focused on predicting his responses, that you didn't predict what might go wrong for you."
I smiled pretty big on that statement, especially considering the next 14 years were just like that.
Thank you so much for your compliment. It means a lot to me how you take the time to validate the significance of what I have written.
Scot
S. L. Cunningham | Homepage | 12.16.05 - 6:15 pm | #

A lovely story; it was strange to read it right after having the thought that I needed to review my Christmas-with-my-kids stories before the holidays zip past. You've set the bar pretty high.
Lorna | Homepage | 12.17.05 - 4:37 am | #

Lorna,
Thanks for that. Good to see you stop by.
Scot
S. L. Cunningham | Homepage | 12.17.05 - 9:12 am | #

Yes,I just want to let you know I read this article in the Village Soup, and thought it was one of the best Christmas stories I've read in some time. I hope you will continue to be a regular contributor.
Elliot | 12.17.05 - 10:26 am | #

Thanks, Elliot, for the compliment.
Appreciate you stopping by and commenting.
S. L. Cunningham | Homepage | 12.17.05 - 10:54 am | #

Scot- What a wonderful story. My, what a special father you were/are!

I almost expected the scythe to show up again in an odd twist like, "Did Santa drop this?" I'm glad it didn't.
David H Thomas | Homepage | 12.18.05 - 5:30 pm | #

Dave,
Say, good to see you drop by. I hope your feeling better from the fever. Thank you for your compliment. And I hope you'll continue to check in every now and then.
Scot
S. L. Cunningham | Homepage | 12.18.05 - 6:33 pm | #

I had the same conversation with both my sons. Fortunately, they accepted my theory on magic without me having to climb on the roof. I don't do heights, which is why I cringed when you fell off the roof. It sounds like you had a great time.
Deborah | Homepage | 12.18.05 - 10:10 pm | #

Deborah,
All eighteen years, yes I did. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Scot
S. L. Cunningham | Homepage | 12.19.05 - 3:48 pm | #

What extraordinary efforts you went through to make Christmas magic for your son. And the camping outside...how easy it would have been to just tell him "no"...but you carried through.

It's so nice to hear about a father who "gets it" as far as his children are concerned. It puzzles me why more men don't...and thrills me to know that dads like you do exist. Bravo!
Lori | Homepage | 12.25.05 - 12:09 am | #

Lori,
Thank you for such an affirming compliment. I appreciate your visits, and your comments. Merry Christmas,
Scot
S. L. Cunningham | Homepage | 12.25.05 - 9:42 am | #