Trout Republic-I believe in Santa

I know that the title is somewhat off seasonally since we are coming into the first part of June soon but recent events made me think about the Jolly old Elf himself.
Plus, I like that past sentence for the rhyming. It’s just how I am.
We had a visit from Santa on Sunday and it changed me I think forever. It’s funny how a small thing can influence even a hard, crass old mountain man like Ol’ Dutch but as Miss Trixie says, even manure is good for the garden. Or, something like that.
Anyway, we had the pleasure of watching the grandkids learn to ride their bikes and they went from scared, cautious neophytes needing someone to walk beside them to being able to ride in about two days.
It was fun to see them take the risks needed, the spills accompanying said risks and get up and try again and again. The littlest one caught on first and of course competition is good for the soul whether at home or business and the older soon was riding all over hell’s half acre --- and their house sits on about three acres so there is that, too.
A bigger bike had come to the six-year-old via Santa at Christmas which left shorty with the smaller bike. And boy can she make that thing go. It is so small, though, her legs look like a windmill in a Kansas tornado trying to propel those 12-inch tires round and round so Grandpa started looking for a bigger bike.
A birthday is approaching in about a month, but I never let those kind of things stand in the way of spoiling them rotten. Immediacy is the name of the game for both Grandpa and the granddaughters.
One late Saturday night trip to the big wish store for paint and, there, in all of its glory was a pristine bike just right for the little one.
Sunday lunch with the kids loomed the next day and Grandpa Dutch simply sat the bike on the driveway and went inside to see what would transpire when they found it.
About 10 minutes later, the two of them went outside to chase chickens or play with the dog or whatever when we heard squeals and yells from both girls hollering for us to come outside.
They had found the bike of course and somehow the little one just knew it was for her. There is something about graduation to a bigger bike, a bigger school or the next grade that does something for us that nothing else can and she was giggling, laughing and talking all at once.
Of course Grandpa Dutch played along and acted surprised too and asked them where did it come from? The answer I got was one of certain wonder and magic as Santa Claus got the credit.
There is something absolutely wondrous about believing in Santa and I think everyone can remember back to the days of our youth when we still did. Weeks of anticipation before Christmas and sightings of the old man just made our hearts sing.
Then somehow we decided that we did not need the old codger anymore in our lives or became disappointed with no shows and we lost the enchantment that he brings.
When I saw their faces Sunday and heard that Santa and his special magic were involved, it changed me forever I think. What a wonder to still believe in that happy old man and to know that things can appear from nothing in a world of terror and disappointment.
So I have decided to believe in Santa once again and in doing so, look for the magic in every moment that comes with the day. A lucky purchase of something on sale, gas for a good price or any surprise that comes my way and good Old Saint Nick is gonna get the credit.
If you have stopped believing in the old boy just once I ask you to repeat these words with me: “I believe in Santa.”
And if you smiled when you repeated those words, it means that Kris Kringle still lives somewhere deep down inside you with all of his mystery and wonder.
But if you felt nothing, maybe you need to start drinking just a tad earlier in the day.

Kevin Kirkpatrick and his Yorkie, Cooper, fish, hunt, ATV or hike daily. His email is [email protected]. Additional news can be found at www.troutrepublic.com or on Twitter at TroutRepublic.