Christmas Wishes!
Posted by: Darlene on: December 24, 2021
- In: Christmas | Family | Memories | short stories
- 88 Comments
Wishing all my followers a wonderful Holiday Season. Here is a little Christmas story for you.

The Year I Discovered Santa Claus by Darlene Foster
Most children dream of seeing Santa Claus. I stayed up as late as possible every Christmas Eve but always fell asleep, only to wake up in the morning to see the jolly fellow had visited and left gifts.
***
It was to be our last Christmas on the farm. Mom and Dad had purchased a house in the city and planned to move in the next spring. The whole family was gathering at the farm one last time to spend the holiday with them.
We lived in Calgary at the time, a three-hour drive away. The morning of the 24th, Hubby was busy loading luggage as I pulled gifts out from under the tree to take with us. We had a couple of stops to make before arriving at the farm. It was important that the gifts that were to be dropped off first, went into the trunk last. Crawling under the tree to retrieve the carefully wrapped packages at the very back, a searing pain shot up my spine. I couldn’t move forward, backward or sideways. Paul came in for another load only to find me under the tree on all fours and in tears.
“I’ve put my back out and I can’t move,” I croaked.
He managed to lift me out from under the tree and lay me on the couch. From there I gave him instructions as to where to place each gift.
My ten-year-old daughter panicked when she saw me. “Does this mean we can’t go?”
“Are you sure you can manage the drive?” Paul asked.
I assured both of them I would be OK. I was not missing the last Christmas on the farm. So I took medication and hobbled to the car. I managed fine on the three-hour drive. Paul dropped off the gifts we needed to deliver on the way, while I stayed in the car. Once at the farm, getting out of the car proved difficult, but my dad and brothers were soon there, giving me a hand. Dad put me in his comfy chair and immediately put a heating pad behind my back. My brothers helped remove my boots and Mom made me a cup of tea. I was feeling the love, and happy to be home.
The kids of all ages, bundled up and went for a sleigh ride, a tradition in our family. Instead of using horses as he did in the past, Dad used a tractor to pull the open sleigh over the snow. I wished I could have gone along as it wouldn’t happen again, but didn´t want to risk it. I stayed back with Mom who prepared food for the evening meal and the big feast the next day. She wouldn´t let me help with the cooking preparations either.
I took more medication and by dinner, I felt better. We had a great meal as always and played a rousing game of marbles. We are a competitive family, so there was shouting and grabbing and perhaps a bit of cheating. All good fun and no one got hurt. Once the children were put to bed, Mom and I kept everyone out of the living room while we filled the stockings and arranged them around the tree. After a midnight drink, we all turned in. The beds at my parents´ house were comfy but old. The one we were given to sleep on had a very soft mattress and I kept rolling into the middle. Every time I did, the pain in my back worsened.
In spite of the extra dose of medication, I wasn´t getting much sleep. I finally grabbed a quilt, took my pillow and moved into the living room to sleep on the nice firm couch. Mom always left the tree lights on all night on Christmas Eve, which I found comforting. I felt like a kid again and soon fell fast asleep.
All of a sudden, I was woken up by someone switching on the bright overhead light. My brother, bare-chested and wearing a pair of beige jogging pants, popped things into everyone´s stocking. He obviously didn´t see me as he went about playing Santa. Then he left the room, switching off the light behind him. I smiled and fell back to sleep with no problem.
The next morning as we stuffed ourselves with pancakes, Dad asked me, “Did you sleep all right, dear?”
I replied, “I moved to the living room and slept just fine. And I saw Santa. He came into the room while I was sleeping and filled the stockings. And – he was stark naked!”
My brother turned red and shouted, “I was not. I had my jogging pants on.”
That was the one and only time I saw Santa Claus.
Enjoy the season, and if you’re lucky, you just might see Santa!
88 Responses to "Christmas Wishes!"

2 | Dr B
December 24, 2021 at 4:35 am
A lovely story, my goodness a naked Santa! Merry Christmas to you too Darlene 🕉


3 | Irene Butler
December 24, 2021 at 4:42 am
Ha, ha – great story Darlene, Merry Christmas to you and all your family and may 2022 be a year of much happiness, good health and prosperity!

Darlene
December 24, 2021 at 5:00 am
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Irene. Glad it made you laugh.



4 | Annette Rochelle Aben
December 24, 2021 at 5:13 am
Happy Holy Days to you and those who mean the most to you!

Darlene
December 24, 2021 at 5:17 am
Thank you so much. Best Wishes to you and yours as well, Annette.



5 | 100 Country Trek
December 24, 2021 at 5:15 am
Now this make smile. Have a great Christmas . Anita

Darlene
December 24, 2021 at 5:17 am
Glad it made you smile. All the best for a wonderful Christmas season.



6 | insearchofitall
December 24, 2021 at 5:21 am
Thanks so much for this wonderful and heartwarming story. Those back issues are a pain. But it put you in the perfect spot to see Santa. Merry Christmas, Darlene


7 | Christa Polkinhorn
December 24, 2021 at 5:25 am
Oh, no, your brother blew it. He gave away the fact that he played Santa. Well, you blew it too, proclaming that Santa was naked. How could you? LOL. Were there any kids present small enough to still believe in the “real” Santa? Beautiful story, Darlene!

Darlene
December 24, 2021 at 6:11 am
No little children were there. A great memory. Have a super Christmas!



8 | Laura Best
December 24, 2021 at 5:41 am
What a great story! Merry Christmas, Darlene. May 2022 be a year of inspiration for you. Wishing you continued publishing success. ❤


9 | Bette A. Stevens
December 24, 2021 at 5:54 am
Love your Santa story, Darlene! 🎄 Merry Christmas to all! 🎅🤶


10 | Dean Mayes
December 24, 2021 at 5:56 am
Happy Christmas Darlene. Here’s to a fine New Year! xxx

Darlene
December 24, 2021 at 9:07 am
All the best to you and your family, Dean. Have a very Happy Christmas.



11 | Savoring Sixty and Beyond
December 24, 2021 at 6:01 am
Great Christmas story ~ thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas!


13 | Liz Gauffreau
December 24, 2021 at 6:55 am
I’ve ever read a Christmas story like this before–I loved it!!!! 😀 😀 😀

Darlene
December 24, 2021 at 9:09 am
It makes me so happy that you enjoyed the story, Liz!

Liz Gauffreau
December 24, 2021 at 9:17 am
I can just imagine this story being repeated at your family gatherings!




14 | nonsmokingladybug
December 24, 2021 at 7:00 am
Merry Christmas to you and yours. Thank you for posting!


16 | Rebecca Budd
December 24, 2021 at 7:44 am
I have always believed in Santa Claus!!! Sending Christmas hugs and love!


17 | Sylverian
December 24, 2021 at 8:56 am
My goodness….I really love the end and it’s kinda funny 😂


18 | Clive
December 24, 2021 at 9:24 am
Merry Christmas, Darlene. I hope you have a wonderful time. And thank you for all the ‘likes’ and comments on my posts – your support keeps me going 😊

Darlene
December 24, 2021 at 6:22 pm
I look forward to your Advent Calender every day. It´s so great to listen to a variety of Christmas songs and carols instead of the mainstream. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas as well, Clive.

Clive
December 24, 2021 at 6:31 pm
Thank you, Darlene, that’s very kind of you. Just two more days to go, and only one chart hit amongst them. Hope you enjoy the fairly eclectic mix that rounds things off!




19 | Miriam Hurdle
December 24, 2021 at 10:13 am
Haha, nice Christmas story, Darlene! I bet your brother still loves to play Santa! ❤

Darlene
December 24, 2021 at 6:23 pm
Actually, he still does. He is a very Christmassy person. I´m glad you enjoyed the story. xo



20 | Retirement Reflections
December 24, 2021 at 1:14 pm
Hi, Darlene – What a fun memory (except for the part about that horrible back pain). Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
PS – I read ‘Amanda in England’ today. It is a great story. I reviewed it on GRs and will include in on my January WOYBS. 😀

Darlene
December 24, 2021 at 6:20 pm
Thank you so much, Donna. That is the best Christmas gift ever!! Wishing you and your family a fabulous Christmas!



21 | nonsmokingladybug
December 24, 2021 at 1:28 pm
I can’t help but smile when I am addressed as ‘follower’ it does sound like I belong to a cult. 🙂
Merry Christmas to you and yours.


23 | Gerlinde de Broekert
December 24, 2021 at 3:09 pm
That’s a cute story. Merry Christmas to you.

Darlene
December 24, 2021 at 6:24 pm
Pleased you enjoyed the story. merry Christmas to you as well, Gerlinde!



25 | Gilda Baxter
December 24, 2021 at 7:49 pm
I am glad Santa was not actually naked…lol. My father used to dress up as a Santa for us every Christmas until we were about 10 years old. Getting together with the family is the best thing about Christmas, I love it. Fun post😀 Merry Christmas Darlene, have a lovely time with your family.

Darlene
December 25, 2021 at 12:20 am
Thanks, Gilda. Pleased you enjoyed the memory! We are all spread out not but we will be together in spirit. Have a wonderful Christmas!



26 | WanderingCanadians
December 24, 2021 at 9:28 pm
Merry Christmas to you and yours. Enjoy the holidays.


27 | marianbeaman
December 25, 2021 at 2:08 am
A lot of exposure here, Darlene! Thanks for the story….wishing you the merriest of Christmases!

Darlene
December 25, 2021 at 2:32 am
Thanks, Marian. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas filled with love.



29 | Carol Balawyder
December 25, 2021 at 5:29 am
That was a lovely story, Darlene. Wishing you and your loved ones peace, love and success for the New Year.


30 | Diane
December 25, 2021 at 11:43 am
That’s a wonderfully funny story. These are the fond memories we cherish through the years. Thank you for sharing.


31 | Kally
December 25, 2021 at 5:20 pm
May all that is beautiful, meaningful and brings you joy be yours this holiday season and throughout the coming year, wish you a Merry Christmas my dear.

Darlene
December 25, 2021 at 7:14 pm
Thank you so much, Kally. Best wishes to you and yours as well. xo



32 | Karen
December 26, 2021 at 1:26 am
Now that is a fun family memory of Christmas. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas Day,

Darlene
December 26, 2021 at 4:32 am
Thank you so much, Karen! Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas!!



33 | debrapurdykong
December 27, 2021 at 4:49 am
Lovely story, Darlene. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and enjoy this last week of 2021!

Darlene
December 27, 2021 at 6:14 am
Thank you, Debra! All good here. I’m sure you had fun with your sweet granddaughter.



34 | Jennie
December 27, 2021 at 8:55 am
What a delightful story, Darlene (except for your back). I can only imagine how special that last Christmas at the farm must have been. Here’s to the new year ahead!

Darlene
December 27, 2021 at 6:24 pm
Thanks, Jennie. But without the bad back, I would not have seen Santa Claus!



36 | Sam "Goldie" Kirk
December 27, 2021 at 2:04 pm
That was an unexpected and a fun twist.
I hope you’re having a joyful Christmas season!

Darlene
December 27, 2021 at 6:25 pm
Thanks, Goldie. We are having a great Christmas! All the best to you as well. xo



37 | robbiesinspiration
December 28, 2021 at 3:52 am
Hi Darlene, this is such a fun story, except for the bit about putting out your back. Thank you for sharing it. Wishing you a wonderful 2022.

Darlene
December 28, 2021 at 4:10 am
Thank you, Robbie. These things happen and if it had not been for my bad back, I wouldn’t have seen Santa! Wishing you a great 2022 as well.



38 | BonnieReadsAndWrites
December 28, 2021 at 5:40 am
What a fun story! I hope you had a Merry Christmas!


39 | Teri Polen
December 28, 2021 at 7:49 am
Such a fun story – thanks for the laugh at the end, Darlene!


41 | gallivance.net
December 29, 2021 at 4:54 am
Darlene, these Christmas stories always warm the heart, and I’m sure your brother thinks so as well. He must have been a game lad wandering around an Alberta living room shirtless in December.
One of my earliest Christmas memories was of my parents convincing me that Santa’s sleigh had left tracks in the new fallen snow on our street. Years later I realized that the single set of tracks were made by a car of course, but the memory of Santa making a personal visit to my house kept my little-boy brain going for years. All the best to you for a happy and healthy 2022. ~James

Darlene
December 29, 2021 at 8:18 am
Oh, I think you still secretly believe the tracks were made by a sleigh pulled by reindeer! Thanks for your comments. May 2022 be kind to you both.



42 | Carol anne
December 30, 2021 at 10:11 am
Oh hahahahaha! How adorable was this story! Thanks Darlene! It was cool to read about your christmas! Hope you’ve had a merry christmas! ❤

Darlene
December 30, 2021 at 6:34 pm
Thanks, Carol Anne. Pleased it gave you a chuckle. Christmas was great. Wishing you all the best for 2022!



43 | Rebecca Cuningham
December 31, 2021 at 12:31 am
Funny story, hope your back trouble ended soon after thst!

Darlene
December 31, 2021 at 1:46 am
Back problems come and go. Something I inherited from my dad. But because of it, I got to see Santa.


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December 24, 2021 at 4:35 am
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