When the children descended the stairs, they saw clearly, yes, there was a Santa Claus!
Years ago, my family and I moved to Pewaukee, Wisconsin, a small town located outside of Milwaukee. This was a wonderful opportunity living in new community, meeting new neighbors and friends, along with learning about our community, learning new holiday traditions, including new holiday food dishes.
November was a busy month with so many things to do with so little time. Once the kids, then ages 9 and 6, were enrolled in their new school, it was time to unpack moving boxes, arrange furniture through the house, check on appliances, wallpaper a few rooms and find new doctors, just in case.
Thanksgiving dinner was next to organize for family, which later turned out well, including our favorite family recipes.
Suddenly it was December. Christmas was my family's most favorite holiday for years and years. Now it was time to put our string lights up outside all over our two-story house. Next, the front door wreath was hung. The wooden reindeer and sleigh were assembled, placed on the front lawn and decorated with red velvet bows. Our home looked beautiful with its decorations just as the snow began to fall.
We celebrated on Christmas Eve. Coming from a Polish and Ukrainian background, our meal was a traditional meatless one, consisting of barley soup, herring with sour cream, pierogies, homemade babka (bread with raisins), fruits and desserts.
After dinner, our children along with my husband went upstairs to get ready for midnight Mass at our very old Catholic church. I was clearing the table when I heard bells ringing outside our front door. When the doorbell rang, I was puzzled, until I opened the door. To my surprise, there was Santa Claus cheerily calling out, "Ho, ho, ho!" over and over. I could not believe my eyes that Santa was at our home. I called our children and my husband to come downstairs, yelling that Santa was at our house. This was a repeated request until they came down, with saucer-like opened eyes! Once everyone was convinced Santa was here, wish lists were discussed along with pictures taken with Santa in front of our Christmas tree. Soon it was time for Santa to leave so he could visit homes everywhere leaving gifts for one and all.
Yes, there was a Santa Claus back in Wisconsin, just outside of Milwaukee, years ago!
This family memory is one that will live in minds and hearts forever. Santa's true identity was revealed a week after Christmas: Santa was my neighbor's brother who wanted to bring joy and love to our children.
Stephanie Sullivan is a retired teacher. She and her now deceased husband, John R. Sullivan, moved to Norman in 2000.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Children discover, yes, there was a Santa Claus at their home
