Christmas Magic
By: Amanda Urban
Tags: Believe, Christmas, Santa, Thank You, Magic

Photo from Pinterest

I got a text from Santa. No, I’m not crazy. (Okay, that’s somewhat debatable) a text came to my phone that read: “HoHoHo Amanda it’s Santa! I’m so excited to say Hi to you. I’m looking forward to telling you about all of our FUN Christmas adventures this year!” Next came a text asking me to vote what color he should paint his sleigh. Today a picture of the sleigh came

The text said the elves could keep it blue for just this year and he hoped the paint dried before he had to fly to me. It even said the name of my city.

Growing up with a decent childhood, Christmas was a magical time. There was a different energy. It was so much fun to decorate, bake, shop and wrap. People had parties, I got a new dress, my family was coming from far away and the best part, Santa would make his journey on Christmas Eve and deliver presents he had made just for me. I took careful consideration to picking which of the cookies my mom and I baked to leave out for him and the veggies for the reindeer had to be just right. I was so excited it was hard to sleep.

The next morning I would dive into the collection of gifts while my parents gripped their coffee cups, trying to wake up. All the toys needed to be opened and, much to my parents dismay, I needed the noisy ones first. I was so thrilled this magical person had made all this stuff, just for me!

Through the years my friends told me the truth about Santa. I asked my mom if it was true and she confirmed yes, it was true. To be honest, I was devastated. I still got my stockings filled but now I knew who filled them. It wasn’t about the gifts. The thought that a man could round the world in a single night and visit every good child meant anything was possible. Without Santa, The magic seemed to disappear.

As I grew up, Christmas got more and more difficult for me. It’s especially hard being a Midwestern girl with no white Christmas down in Florida. I’ve struggled with depression for a long time and the holidays brought it out more than ever. I wanted Christmas spirit, I wanted magic but as much as I wanted it just wouldn’t come. It even came to the point I stopped decorating and baking, got store bought gifts and shipped them late, once the tree didn’t even go up. Without my normal traditions, Christmas wasn’t the same.

Recently I decided Christmas will go on. It started when I saw an ad on Facebook to sign up to have Santa text your child. I thought how fun is that? I’d love to hear from Santa! Unfortunately this service is not free and my wallet is not willing to comply. The ad did however remind me of my childhood. It sparked a flicker of magic. My traditions with family live on in my memory and I will do my best to honor them. Gifts are again handmade, Christmas music plays while I do chores, there are some decorations outside and soon there will be inside as well.

Then it happened: Santa texted me. The number was one I don’t recognize. He called me Amanda so it wasn’t my family as they would have said Mandy.

I know the probability of this actually being Santa is zilch but someone out there cared enough about me to do this. Someone re-created the feelings I haven’t had since childhood. I think this is more magic than I’ve ever had and ranks as the best gift ever.