It seems such a natural deal. It is a matter of appearance. There are certain steps you must take and not all of them are easy, but, check the list and you can find that most are doable, some take a little more, and some are just the real thing.
Grow old (er) . Yes this is the tough one, because it does limit the people who will make it work, but it does give one the experience a person needs.
Grow a beard. Again, this creates problems for some folks, as beard growing starts younger and ends up being part of your life, but if you hit #1, and you can grow a beard, a whiteish beard, you are doing well.
Grow a heart that works again. Not too soft of a heart, not too hard of one, but one that can understand that your work on earth has been mostly accomplished, and now it is time to share and contribute and open your heart near and far and be open to everyone.
Grow some weight. Ok, Ok, this is a rough one, but if you have got it, flaunt it, and keep it inside of you where you know it jollies the appearance, it wiggles when you laugh so easily and it responds whenever Ho Ho Ho comes sliding out naturally.
Grow your friends all year long. The most important thing on the list. If you can grow your friends, then that way you will see all of the compassion it takes to be the jolly old elf, the needful heart that can bring joy, and the softness so many people need every day, but especially at Christmas time.
Growth rings true throughout this little list that should set each one straight to thinking the simple "Happy Thoughts" that make Santa someone that, maybe they won't remember exactly what he looked like, or they won't know exactly what he sounded like, but those few minutes you have with a little one (or one that is bigger) can make a small part of their world be something better.
Merry Christmas
Ralph Peck
Photo by Ralph Peck
A small corner of Claremore, Oklahoma
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