My Christmas Story for 2025

From last Saturday's walk at Belmar Park and coffee at Panera.

So, 2025 has been a year of political T-shirts for me. Some witty, some colorful, some snarky. And December has been the month of the mother-of-all-colds. Last Saturday was my first opportunity in December to get out of the house, walk in a beautiful park, and go to coffee with friends. 

And it is the Christmas Season, a time to celebrate Peace and Good Will toward my fellow human beings. To be honest, I haven't really been "feelin' it" this year. 

My daughter believes in "dressing for joy." And how more joyful could I get than my Christmas Elf T-shirt?!

There were only two of us, Marchelle and me, from our regular walking group that day. The Saturday before Christmas, when traditional Christmas shoppers were doing their final major run before the big day? Really? Really. 

That was okay. I couldn't really do a whole, serious walk after being housebound for three weeks anyway, but we walked down to the lake and checked out which birds were still in town. It's been unusualy warm, so a surprising number are still here. 

We arrived at Panera for coffee just as Santa and a police officer got there. Not together, of course.

"Boss," I called out to Santa. And he held the door for us. It turns out that Santa, when in his plain persona, is John, one of the managers at Panera. My friend Marchelle took these pictures.

After Santa took my order, he explained that they were treating a child and his family to a meal, a visit with Santa and with a real police officer, because the boy really likes the police.

We couldn't see the festivities because we were at a table toward the back of the restaurant. As we were leaving, the family had just finished their meal, the young man had opened his gifts and was getting ready to examine a real police car. 

We don't know how old the young man is. We guessed maybe nine or ten. And he has Downs Syndrome.

I introduced myself to him as The Number One Elf. Without missing a beat, he confidently extended his hand for a firm handshake and very seriously said "Good Job." He graciously accepted my "Thank you," and went with the Lakewood Police Officer to examine the police car. Not a plain Shamu cruiser, but the bigger, police SUV.

And just like that, I've been feeling like it really is Christmas!

The moral of this story is "dress for joy and you, too, may just find yourself in your very own Christmas Story."

Happy Christmas and Peace to all.