Like many children around the world, I grew up believing in Santa Claus. As an adult, I discovered that there is a Santa Claus, and I met him in North Pole (Alaska).
I grew up with German traditions, so my images of Santa were decidedly very German. My seven year old self drew Santa in a long red coat with black boots, pulling a sled that held a Christmas tree and carrying a bag of gifts over his shoulder. In my world, Santa brought the Christmas tree which magically appeared on Christmas eve, covered from top to bottom in shiny ornaments, silver wrapped candy, tinsel and glowing with lights and candles. I don’t remember the gifts that he brought me over the years, but I do remember how magical the trees were that he brought us each year.
Fast forward 50+ years later. My husband and I were vacationing in Alaska in February in search of the Northern Lights. We decided to rent a cabin in the town of North Pole, Alaska which was about 20 minutes outside of Fairbanks. The first morning after we arrived, we stepped out of our cabin into a white winter wonderland. As we cleaned off the fresh snow from our rental car, one of the other renters in the cabin near us came out to introduce himself. The gentleman had big white whiskers and was wearing red suspenders over his round belly. He introduced himself as Santa Claus and presented us with his business card. Apparently, when he is not flying around with his reindeer on Christmas eve, he likes to spend his time In North Pole Alaska at the Santa Claus House where it is a wee bit warmer than his home further north.
Santa’s business card is one of my most treasured mementos from my travels, now more so than ever. As I celebrate my first Christmas with my first grandchild, Santa’s business card has now taken on a whole new meaning. In a few years when my grandson asks me about Santa, I can honestly say that I met THE MAN himself in the town of North Pole, and I have his business card to prove it.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
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