Allie Nunnally
This story begins way before Christmas time. I don’t remember what month, or even what year it was when this happened.
I was visiting my grandparents (Mammaw and Pa) with my mom, dad, and sisters, Olivia and Millie. Dinner was almost ready and we were waiting for Pa to come inside and join us at the table. He had been out working in his garden, as usual.
When he finally came in, he looked at my two sisters and me, smiled and said “girls, I saw Santa Claus out there just now and he asked me if y’all were being good”. In my head I was thinking Yeah, right. Pa just wants to make sure we know Santa is always watching.
Fast forward to Christmas time. Olivia, Millie, and I received letters in the mail from Santa. (My parents were the BEST at playing Santa). I don’t remember anything else that was written in the letter, but Santa wrote (in all three of our letters) that he had seen our Pa and talked with him one evening while he was out in the garden.
MAGIC.
How in the world could anyone have remembered that little detail besides Santa?? It had to be him. He had to be real. I had PROOF!!
The next time we went back to my grandparent’s house, my sisters and I brought our letters from Santa with us. We wanted Pa to see for himself; he read all three of our letters and had the biggest smile on his face. I can still hear him laughing and saying “I told you so!”
I will always remember the excitement and amazement I felt in that moment. It feels a little silly writing that, but is it?
The magic of Christmas doesn’t ever go away. Sure, it changes over the years. From believing in Santa, to helping parents and other family members play Santa for the younger kids, and maybe one day, watching my own child’s eyes light up when they experience the magic of Christmas for themselves.
Allie Nunnally is the social media manager and an advertising and editorial staff member of The Northeast Georgian. Reach her at 706-778-4215 or anunnally@cninewspapers.com.