For America's Santas, It's Hard to Be Jolly With the Tales They're Hearing

[RamboLiberal]

-----

The Kris Kringles of America are doing their best to help children cope. Anticipating a deluge of recession-related questions, Mr. Connaghan in November sent advice to his email network of 1,800 Santas.

The tips included telling worried children that "things will get better" and asking if Santa could "bring a surprise," instead of promising specific gifts. The job of a Santa "is to make the child feel better," he counseled. He suggested that Santas refer children to local charities to find Christmas gifts.

That's what Jim Lewis did. A Santa at a Bass Pro Shop outdoor-goods store in Denver, he blanched when a blond girl in a red plaid dress recently asked for a pair of eyeglasses so she could see the classroom board. He recovered in time to motion over one of his elves, who told the girl's mother about the local Lions Club, which helps provide needy children with prescription glasses.

"It would be wonderful if we could grant more wishes like that, but unfortunately, this is the exception to the rule," says the 60-year-old Mr. Lewis, a real-estate appraiser when he takes off the Santa suit.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126074986920489905.html?mod=WSJ_hps_MIDDLEFifthNews

[liberal N proud]

1. I think that is one reason I couldn't pick up where my father left off

My father did Santa for so many years, he was Santa to us and we never new it, that is how good he was at it.

He wanted me to take his suit and learn the trade but I just didn't think I could pull it off.

Years like this one would just be too heartbreaking, I would be wiping my tears with my beard.

:cry:

[graywarrior]

2. That made me cry