Women’s Independent Press

With the onset of the Holiday Season, I find it easy to recall the days of my childhood and the memories of my Christmas past.  When I was young, on random Saturdays, my mother and I would ride the streetcar to downtown and get off under the Kaufmann’s clock.  I still remember the department store Christmas windows as we walked along Smithfield Street.  I remember the bells of the Salvation Army Santa.  I remember the Christmas music that filled the air.

The wonderful Christmas memories and traditions of my past are probably the reason that the

Holiday Season is still as exciting to me as it was when I was a child. I have never let go of the joy and delight that the season can bring. I have never forgotten the Spirit of the Holiday. And I have never stopped believing in Santa Claus.

More than 20 years ago, when my son, Christopher, was 10 years old, a group of his friends had gathered in our family room to play video games. The boys were talking about the hottest new game on the street; and as I passed by, Christopher called out to me. “Mom, can you buy this new game for me for Christmas?” I responded with, “We will see.  Maybe Santa Claus will bring it for you.” With that the other boys began to laugh as they chided him with “You mean you still believe in Santa Claus?” And in a voice barely above a whisper, hoping I would not hear, Christopher replied, “No, I don’t; but my Mom still does.”

And I do. I believe in the Santa Claus that helps us find the time that we never seem to have the rest of the year. The time to shop, and to decorate, and to bake.  I believe in the Santa that helps us find the extra energy needed to write out the cards, to wrap the gifts, to attend the parties, to cook the dinner. I still believe in the Santa Claus who in years where money was tight, somehow made it appear to help to pay for the gifts and the tree and the new outfits. And I believe in the Santa Claus that brings family and friends closer; that makes us wish for Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All, no matter what the state of the world might be.

Although for some this holiday season may seem lackluster with the state of the economy, the endless negative news from the media, and the issues facing our country; more than ever, once again, I believe that Santa will appear bringing the blessings of faith and hope; the kindness of strangers and the love of family and friends; the miracle of sharing; the knowledge that all we have is all we need; and the realization that we still live in the greatest country in the world. 

And when years go by these blessing will still exist when hopefully our current struggles will be lost memories.  And as years and years go by Santa will continue to be part of Christmas.  And we at The Musuneggi Financial Group and Single Steps Strategies wish this year that the miracle of Santa will be part of the Holiday Season for everyone we know.

To read more stories by Mary Grace Musuneggi, you can purchase her book “Single Steps: Strategies for Abundant Living” at www.dbeaglepress.com.

Mary Grace Musuneggi

Founder and Executive Director

December 2010