Meet Santa Larry

Okay…I’m laughing as I write this post. I just can’t help it. Let me just start with: I’m glad I don’t live in the U-S of A.

Folks, meet Larry Jefferson. He’s a retired U.S. Army Veteran from Irving, Texas.

If you live in the States, you’ve probably heard of him on the radio or seen him on the news. I actually learned about him on one of my Facebook friends timeline a few weeks ago.

While this story is almost three weeks old, I thought it was still worth mentioning because I just can’t stop thinking about how ludicrous this whole story is.

Why is Larry Jefferson headline news? He was the first Black Santa to ever grace the Mall of America in Minnesota from December 1^st -4^th. Apparently a lot of Americans had a hissy fit about this whole ordeal. 

Here are some of the comments I came across on the internet:

A sampling below from CBS and Twitter:

 

This one is my favourite:

These Americans need to relax and remember that Santa is not real. 

I wrote a post last year titled, “Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy aren't real?” about parents lying to their children about these fictional characters. 

While I did take Zendaya to meet Santa Claus twice over the past few weeks, I still plan on telling her when she gets a bit older  that Santa is not real.

Does it really matter what colour Santa Claus is? 

I’ve read articles in relation to this story about how there should be a Santa to represent all the different nationalities. I’m sure this suggestion was coming from an adult and not a child because children don’t care.

I thought about how I would react if I took Zendaya to meet Santa Claus and he happened to be black. I know I would be shocked at first but I would have her take pictures with him just the same because after all, Santa Claus isn't real.

To all those angry Americans who threw temper tantrums, get over it.

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Thanks for reading and keep smiling :)

Christmas shopping...Oh how I hate you

I have a confession to make. I haven’t started my Christmas shopping yet and there’s only three days left. The scary thing is, I’m not worried. Part of me doesn’t even care.

 I blame it on the lack of Christmas spirit I feel this year. Houses are decorated. Christmas songs are playing but it just doesn’t feel like Christmas. Maybe because there’s no snow outside. Maybe because the weather has been so mild.

While those things may be true, I’m always a late shopper regardless. The thought of going to the malls and spending half an hour trying to find a parking space drives me crazy. Entering into the mall and seeing all those people running around like crazy people makes me feel claustrophobic. Then there's the long line-ups I have to stand in. Ugh! I just can't.

I don't blame those who do all their Christmas shopping online. I think I'll try that next year.

As I head to the mall today, pray for me that I don’t lose my mind.

Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet?

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When you get a chance, please visit my friend Tyrone’s blog. His posts are insightful and very thought provoking. See his blog here.

Thanks for reading and keep smiling :) 

Christmas Day: Then and Now

This morning I woke up thinking about how my family used to spend Christmas compared to how we spend it now.

Our household wasn’t like others. My siblings and I didn’t wake up in the wee hours of the morning begging our parents to wake up just so that we could open our presents. We slept in. We took our time because we knew we weren’t going anywhere until much later. 

When all five of us did wake up, you could literally feel the excitement. The one day of the year that we had all been waiting for was finally here. The anticipation to find out if we got what we had asked for was about to be revealed. After all our presents were opened, we ate and played with our new toys.

We spent a lot of our Christmas evenings with my Mom’s side of the family. 

Now that we’re all grown up, things have changed. Presents are rarely bought. I can’t even remember the last time I spent Christmas with all of my siblings.

I now spend my Christmas mornings at church. From there I normally head out to my Dad’s house and spend a few days to unwind. We do nothing but eat, sleep and watch television.

I would be lying if I said I don’t miss the excitement that Christmas used to bring but I guess that’s just a part of growing up.

What did your family do on Christmas day when you were younger? Have those traditions changed now that you're older?

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When you get a chance, please visit my friend Tyrone’s blog. His posts are insightful and very thought provoking. See his blog here.

Thanks for reading and keep smiling :) 

My Happiness Project: 12 Days of Christmas Cheer

This is it…my final month of my Happiness Project!

This month, I’ve titled my Happiness Project, “12 Days of Christmas Cheer”. 

Even though it may not look or feel like Christmas, I'm looking forward to spending this month with my family and friends. 

Here’s my list of 12 things I plan on doing this festive season:

1) Create a Christmas playlist

2 ) Watching Christmas movies –  On the list are, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”, “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, “Miracle on 34^th Street”, “The Muppet Christmas Carol”, “Rudolph the red nosed reindeer”, Scrooge”, Christmas in Connecticut”, and “Frosty the Snowman”

3)  Paint Nite – I’ll be attending a couple of Paint Nites with one of my sisters and girlfriend

4)  Watch Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella

5) Getting a manicure, pedicure and facial at Sanctuary Day Spas

6) Make my own Christmas cards

7) Buy Christmas presents for my immediate family and my girlfriends

8) Watch the Nutcracker, the ballet

9) Watch “A Christmas Carol” at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection

10) Watch “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” at Lower Ossington Theatre

11) Visit the Toronto Christmas Market

12) Visit Hudson’s Bay Christmas Windows

I can't believe I'm going to say this but...as much as I hate snow, I am praying for a few inches for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. What would Christmas be without it?

What resolutions have you made for this month?

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When you get a chance, please visit my friend Tyrone’s blog. His posts are insightful and very thought provoking. See his blog here.

Thanks for reading and keep smiling :) 

Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy aren't real?

Why do parents think it’s ok to lie to their children about Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy? They teach them that lying is wrong but they do it themselves. That’s kind of hypocritical, don’t you think?

There’s nothing wrong with telling them about these fictional characters. There’s nothing wrong with taking them to the Santa Claus parade or the Easter parade. Just as long as they walk away knowing that the man in the red suit and the person wearing those big floppy ears aren’t real.

I was 10 when I found out that Santa Claus wasn’t real. One of my classmates and I argued back and forth until they started laughing at me. I went home that afternoon and confronted my Mom about it. That’s when she finally told me the truth. Santa Claus didn’t climb down the chimney on Christmas Eve to deliver presents to me or my siblings. All those presents that were marked “From Santa” were really from my Mom and Dad. I was crushed. For 10 years, my Mom thought it was ok to lie to me.

I never believed in the Easter Bunny. The thought of Easter bunnies laying chocolate eggs seemed ridiculous.

I don’t remember when I stopped believing in the Tooth Fairy. It was definitely before I was ten. Back in the 80’s, we only received 25 cents for losing a tooth. Today, some of my students tell me they receive $5, $10 or even $20!

After the Santa Claus incident, I vowed to never lie to my children about these fictional characters. So what if I’m taking the fun out of their childhood? The last thing I want is to see that look of disappointment on their faces when I tell them that Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny aren’t real. I don’t want to see them cry and call me a liar.

If you teach your children not to lie, I suggest you start practicing what you preach. Telling them the truth about Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy could save you a lot of heartache in the long run.

Did your parents lead you to believe that Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy were real?

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Thanks for reading and keep smiling :)