Waiting for Santa
Daniel Barker, 8, meets Santa Claus as the jolly old elf rides through Bay Village on Dec. 7.
As part of Bay Village’s Christmas celebration last year, Santa Claus rode in a fire truck down Parkside Drive, where my daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Dave Barker, live. My eight-year-old grandson, Daniel, who is a true believer, waited outside for Santa to pass by. Santa stopped at the curb and called Daniel's name and Daniel was thrilled. He spoke about it all year long.
Thankfully, I read in the Nov. 25 issue of the Observer that Santa would be returning to Bay Village on Dec. 7, and his route would take him down Parkside again. I emailed Santa and he asked Daniel's name and address and said he had remembered his little face and it had touched him so he would definitely stop.
Dec. 7 could not come soon enough for our family and we waited. The fire truck turned the corner and there was Daniel with his Santa hat on (he wears it between Thanksgiving and Christmas). The truck stopped and the door opened. Santa got out, walked up to Daniel, hugged him and called him by name. Our entire family was moved. There was something of a spiritual feeling about it that was hard to describe and some of us had tears in our eyes.
Santa was very gentle and loving and I cannot find adequate words to describe the visit. We took several photos as Santa said he needed one for his refrigerator at the North Pole. This gentleman was the BEST ever and should be commended for his excellent job.