Wednesday, December 19, 2012

WAITING FOR SANTA


This week's Friday Fictioneer's photo prompt comes courtesy of Scott L. Vannatter. Below is my 100-word story inspired by Scott's adorable photo. (12/21/12).

                               
                                      **** WAITING FOR SANTA ****

 I watched them circle pictures in the Toys-R-Us catalog. A Yankee jacket and a Giants Helmet for Buddy. A pink tutu and Ballerina Barbi for Sally. A catnip mouse for me. Excited, they collected pictures for their wish list and hung red stockings. Homemade cookies and milk sat on the table. But Santa never came. Sally thought he got stuck in the chimney. Buddy said Santa probably emptied his toy sack for the kids in the fancy houses where he got his belly full of rich cocoa and honey-glazed tarts. Since Santa never came, Buddy and Sally ate the cookies, I drank the milk.

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40 comments:

  1. janetDecember 19, 2012 at 4:05 PM

    A Christmas let-down. How sad! Nicely done, Lora. I hope there was some love to be given.

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    1. LoraDecember 19, 2012 at 10:27 PM


      I wrote this to make a point and emphasize all the poverty that still exists, not only in the world, but in our own country.

      Delete
  2. PirateGunnDecember 19, 2012 at 4:29 PM

    Terribly, terribly sad..

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    1. LoraDecember 19, 2012 at 10:28 PM


      Yes, and reality that still exists today.

      Delete
  3. tedstrutzDecember 19, 2012 at 4:38 PM

    A reminder that for some, there are no gifts... maybe no food either. A poignant piece Lora. And, a reminder to me to go by the Sheriff's office to make a donation and the market to put something in the food drive bin. I'm getting up off my ass now. Thank You!

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    1. LoraDecember 19, 2012 at 10:22 PM


      Thank you for getting off your bum and taking action. You have no idea how much that donation and a little extra in the food drive bin will mean to a family in need.

      Delete
  4. AnonymousDecember 19, 2012 at 5:49 PM

    Always nice when kids, and cats, figure out how to cope! Though there's clearly a sad adult story in the background.

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    1. LoraDecember 19, 2012 at 10:34 PM


      You're right...especially, since there is so much unemployment where one must make the choice betw. toys and food. It must be painful for the adult to know that Santa cannot show up.

      Delete
  5. Tom PoetDecember 19, 2012 at 6:18 PM

    Christmas can only be purchased when poverty is your reality.... Believing is often a privilege only the rich can afford.

    Nice work.
    Tom

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  6. AnonymousDecember 19, 2012 at 8:02 PM

    I wonder what happened to him, too. It made me think they might be orphans. Has Santa come every year before this?

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  7. AnonymousDecember 19, 2012 at 10:36 PM

    Sad... may be he'll come for Kwanza? Three Kings Day? New Year's? Aunt Alice's birthday which is the 27th? Did he text? May FB. Yeah, try FB. Check the litter box.. er, I mean the letter box.

    Randy

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  8. LoraDecember 19, 2012 at 10:37 PM


    Your clue may be in some of the previous comments.

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  9. BetaRulesDecember 20, 2012 at 1:48 AM

    How sad it is when they learn. at least they're pragmatic. The tooth fairy stopped coming to our house when my daughters decided she was not real.

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  10. AnonymousDecember 20, 2012 at 2:58 AM

    awww i felt so sad... poor kids.. very well-written though.

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  11. AnonymousDecember 20, 2012 at 3:28 AM

    A poignant story which made me stop and think.

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  12. Sandra CrookDecember 20, 2012 at 3:56 AM

    A timely reminder. Nicely done.

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  13. Rochelle Wisoff-FieldsDecember 20, 2012 at 4:47 AM

    Dear Lora,
    A sad moment for the children. Tenderly told.
    Merry Christmas,
    Rochelle

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  14. AnonymousDecember 20, 2012 at 9:32 PM

    I have often suspected my cats of doing just that on Christmas Eve. Now I know. Mine is here: http://wp.me/p1Wqon-dN

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    1. LoraDecember 22, 2012 at 2:37 AM

      Buttons didn't get his catnip mouse but at least he was happy with his bowl of milk.

      Delete
  15. AnonymousDecember 21, 2012 at 3:21 AM

    So sad. Worked out in the cats favor, though.

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    1. LoraDecember 22, 2012 at 2:35 AM

      True..Buttons was happy with his bowl of milk. Meow!

      Delete
  16. Douglas MacIlroyDecember 21, 2012 at 4:19 AM

    Dear Lora,

    Life is hard. I hope the spirit of giving never goes away. Lovely illustration of a touch Christmas. I hope your is Merry and bright and the the city glistens and shines from your high vantage point.

    Aloha,

    Doug

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    1. LoraDecember 22, 2012 at 2:34 AM


      Aloha Doug - As usual, thank you for your touching comments. And a Merry one to you and yours as well.

      Delete
  17. AnonymousDecember 21, 2012 at 6:18 AM

    That's sad, but a state of reality for many families. We do what we can, and remain thankful for having good grounded kids who understand that Xmas is not about receiving more/better presents than their friends.

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    1. LoraDecember 22, 2012 at 2:30 AM


      Today there are charitable orgs, Toys for Tots, food banks, soup kitchens, etc. Hopefully, the needy are not too proud to take advantage of these places.

      Delete
  18. AnonymousDecember 21, 2012 at 11:40 AM

    Hi Lora,
    Great point of view and I loved the voice here. Well done. Ron

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    1. LoraDecember 22, 2012 at 2:25 AM


      Hi Ron - Kitty's name is Buttons. Meow!

      Delete
  19. brudbergDecember 21, 2012 at 2:02 PM

    Well told.. And a lot of thoughts going into that story.

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    1. LoraDecember 22, 2012 at 2:23 AM


      ...and a lot of memories. Thanks for visiting.

      Delete
  20. AnonymousDecember 21, 2012 at 2:52 PM

    reminds me of the boy on the other side of the tracks in "the polar express." well done and touching.

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    1. LoraDecember 22, 2012 at 2:22 AM


      Never saw it. Will watch it, the next time it's on TV.

      Delete
  21. RussellDecember 21, 2012 at 5:00 PM

    A very strong wake-up call. We tend to look the other way when the scenery is not pretty. Christmas isn't merry for everyone. Well done, Lora.

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    1. LoraDecember 22, 2012 at 2:20 AM


      Hi Russell - True. When parents struggle with poverty, the children suffer and carry those wounds for the rest of their lives.

      Delete
  22. AnonymousDecember 21, 2012 at 9:31 PM

    a good story. I hope they had love even though Santa couldn't always make it.

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  23. UnknownDecember 21, 2012 at 11:13 PM

    Awww...not fair. A very sad and unfair/painful reality for many kids...no child deserves to feel like this on Christmas or anytime for that matter. Very well done...this tugged at my heart

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  24. LoraDecember 22, 2012 at 2:13 AM


    Hi Boomie - This updated version continues to tug at my heart. Back then, it was the Sears catalog. Thanks for stopping by. Merry Christmas !

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  25. AnonymousDecember 22, 2012 at 12:55 PM

    That's cute, Lora! In fact, I think it would make a nice Christmas story for kids!!! Have a Merry Christmas!

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  26. AnonymousDecember 22, 2012 at 1:23 PM

    Hi Lora. I love your story. I feel sad for Mikey and Sally and the kitty too that Santa did not come. I wonder where he was or if he got lost on his way to their house or ran out of toys. So sorry for them all. But, they got the cookies and kitty, his milk. At least their tummies got fed even if their stockings did not get filled. I think too that your story rings true for many unfortunate families this year who receive little or nothing, where times have been rough. Don't forget to catch mine on the link. Have a wonderful, blessed Christmas.

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