A Christmas Miracle

Hello blog. It’s me, Jennifer. In case you’re wondering where I’ve been for the past two months, I can summarize it quickly as follows:

• Lana’s doctor’s office


• Lana’s doctor’s office


• My doctor’s office


• In bed trying not to suffocate on my own snot


• Lana’s doctor’s office


• My doctor’s office


• Christmas shopping and cleaning up four boxes worth of used tissue

So, it is with tremendous relief that I report that Lana and I are both finally well, our Christmas presents have been purchased and wrapped, the house has been disinfected, and we are ready for Santa’s visit tonight. The only thing we didn’t manage, in fact, was a trip to see the jolly old man in person. My guilt over missing Santa was enough to drive me to do the unthinkable – pack you up in the car and drive to mall on Christmas Eve. Fortunately, your Omo and Opop (John’s parents) were also in the Christmas Spirit and volunteered to meet us at the mall.

Our trip began on a sour note when Lana was too scared to ride the Merry Go Round at the entrance, and went downhill further as we stood in line to see Santa for over 45 minutes. During that time, Lana alternated clinging to us like a koala bear, agreeing that she would sit with Santa, and then proclaiming Santa scary and asking to go home. As we approached the front of the line, her requests to go home became urgent and I actually stepped out of line to walk around with her. And then it began snowing. Technically, a couple of snow machines mounted above the Santa set began spewing fake snow, but for Lana it was like a sign from the heavens. We ventured into Santa’s photo area to catch snow with the other children and she immediately began to relax and smile. Then Santa appeared and asked Lana if she was enjoying the snow. She just looked at him in stunned silence, but as he walked away she yelled, “I want you to bring me balls!”

After that, Lana couldn’t wait for her turn to see Santa again. I plopped her down in his lap and watched in amazement as she smiled up at him and began chatting about how she liked to play ball. We got a better photo with Santa than I would have ever imagined and as a bonus, Santa spent ten minutes after our visit playing peek-a-boo and blowing kisses to Lana while his elves fixed the photo printer.

We wrapped up our outing with two rides on the merry go round, once with me and once with Omo. On the way home Lana took turns waving out the window to Santa and declaring him “a nice guy.” Christmas miracles are real, dear blog, and here is the evidence:



Merry Christmas!