Dear ‘Santa Mike’:
Many Valley residents in our generation believed the “Real Santa” sat tall and grand at Cooey Bentz back in the day, and we could have sworn he magically flew from the North Pole to South Wheeling to hear our wishes, and to tell us the world would make sense someday. He explained to us his reindeer were on the roof and since the “Jolly One” checked all the other boxes – red suit, real beard, bowl full of jelly – we believed then what most have given up by now.
You allow today’s children the exact same, and you take care of every sparkle and twinkle that goes with the legend of “Santa Claus” no matter if you are visiting a private home, a hospital or business, a senior center or rest home, the children at Oglebay, and everywhere else in between.
And it’s not all cookies and milk either, now is it “Santa Mike,” and some of us know that. Children are known to tell their truth no matter how honest it may be, and not only do you hear about the nice and the naughty (along with the brutal and the ugly), but you must have the words that comfort the not-so-gleeful at this time of year.
That is a God-given blessing.
For all it, we must say “Thank You” and “Merry Christmas” to you, and if our “Ho ho ho!” sounded anything close to yours, we would offer that to you, as well.
You make it real and allow more than just children to believe … and that’s the true magic of Christmas.
Sincerely,
The Old Kids in the Crowd
