Christmas 2015; Magic, a Tree & an elf named JP

It's been awhile since I've publicly posted any writing  Those that know me well understand the dialectical tension I have with social media.  You also understand my fervent love of writing. I am by nature, a sharer of all things.  I am by circumstance, uncharacteristically private, so as not to churn the unstable ocean roaring beyond that social media often enables, unexpectedly, which never ceases to surprise me, notably in awful ways.  But on this day, I toss the fear aside, prior to publishing my impending novel of course, to share the story of the 2015 Christmas miracle.  It's not often my breath is stolen, but Santa, well, he's done it again.  What I write below is done so ambiguously for adult and child eyes, to assure the magic isn't stolen from any old or young note takers, most importantly mine,  who often capture and browse my phone unexpectedly ;)

On Christmas Eve, the presents were set.  Each carefully wrapped, labeled, organized just so.  Done.

The stockings were stuffed with care and it seemed as if St. Nick had most certainly been there.  Mark sent me to bed, for he had just one more thing to do, so off I went without a fight, exhausted, out of energy and without reason to stew.

In the morning Jack was the first to sneak to the side of the bed.  Mommy, it's Christmas, he quietly said.  Go wake your brother I spoke, with one eye peaking through.  He ran to Vincent's room and slowly we gathered the crew.

Mark kept us hostage behind a gate on the stairs, with a note from the elf, JP, Head of the North Pole Sports Division, (who knew!), for anyone who cares. 

We got the green light to head down three deep in row, down to the foyer and into a room beautifully aglow.

Prior to heading to bed the night prior, we had just one adorned Christmas tree acquired.

But shockingly upon waking we had a sight to see, it seemed Santa had added another, causing
us all, mostly shockingly me, to exclaim with glee.

In our very small home, in another whole room, Santa, and his assistant elf, JP, had decided to place a beautiful Penn State themed tree.

Adorned with ornaments, all with special meaning, we stood silent, simply, quietly, gratefully beaming.

PSU ornaments from decades gone by, a Penn State village of wood underneath to finish my collection that I couldn't, I had given it a try. 

PSU snowmen to add to our hutch and a white Nittany lion, too beautiful to touch. 

JP left a note directing us to find, our own special ornaments, hidden inside.

 

The presents left perfectly by another tree, had all found a new place, magically lifted by some force, organized in another home, perfectly.  They were all arranged underneath our new Penn State Christmas tree, and the magic of Christmas was reborn inside of me.

Santa had gone through so much trouble, to drag in a tree through all of the rubble, set it up, place the lights, and a sea of trinkets. Well, the three of us were standing there, staring, on a divine Christmas morning, quiet as crickets.

This is the magic we should all have in our hearts.  To carry, to share with our children, so one day they can impart.  My breath was stolen by Santa and his elf JP, how lucky am I, he was sent to me.  We will be telling the story of the year Santa brought our family a Penn State Christmas Tree, most certainly for as long as I have breath inside of me.

It's this magic that makes memories for families to come together, and the strength to have fortitude through the storms we weather.

Merry Christmas to all of our family and friends, who adore Vincent and Jack,  and show it again and again.  This was the Christmas of true magic for them, thanks to our dear Santa, who manages to surprise us again and again.