“Santa took a vacation, but I found him and I have the picture to prove it!”
Bob and I went out for lunch with my Brother Barry and his wife Lisa today. Halfway through lunch Bob said, “Look, there’s Santa – he’s gonna have lunch here at Pita Jungle!” We all took a quick glance and giggled…the tie-died shirt and shorts were AWESOME. I immediately said, “I am NOT leaving this restaurant until I get a picture with that man!”
About fifteen minutes later I took a bathroom break and walked right past Santa and his wife having lunch. I brought my phone with me in hopes I would get an opportunity to grab that coveted photo. On the way back, I stopped at their table and said to the man, “I really love your beard…” His wife piped in, “Well we were just talking about you, and we really like your hat! In fact our granddaughter is twelve, and she loves hats!”
I asked the man how long he had sported that amazing beard. He answered, “I’ve had this for five years now. I’ll let you in on a little secret. During December I actually play the part of Santa in the mall near our house!” No….really? Are you serious? YOU play the part of SANTA? Get out…
Mrs. Clause then had a marvelous idea. “Hey, is there a camera in that phone you’ve got? If so, then why don’t you take a picture together! You could have a photo of his beard, and we could have the photo to show our granddaughter your hat!”
Sometimes things go better than you had even hoped. Santa pointed out the perfect backdrop for the pic, our server willingly did the photography, and after emailing them the shot, I walked back to our table feeling pretty proud of myself.
My advice is overtly different than what parents teach their kids. DO talk to strangers…they are just waiting to be your friend!
“Fear makes strangers of people who would be friends.”
-Shirley MacLaine
P.S. I’m feeling like I look skinny next to Santa. Just sayin.
