When I Found Out - Santa Edition

by Amy Mathews-Perez

December is Remembrance Month at The Worthy Educator!

As the youngest of six kids, I now know that Christmas was a very expensive holiday. I don’t know how my parents managed it, but they did it with great success. Every year Christmas morning brought joy and excitement as we discovered unwrapped gifts from Santa under our tree. As a young child I remember wondering how Santa was always able to get each of us at least one or two things from our very long lists. Imagine that….six Christmas lists…how did he choose which items from each list?  He even got us other things that we loved but hadn’t even asked for. I was fascinated by how well he knew us and how much he got us.

When I was about 8 years old, my Dad asked me if I wanted to go shopping with him. I jumped at the chance to spend time with Daddy - just the two of us. A big family is a blessing, but time alone with each of your parents was something super special. We got in his red truck and went to a music store - a place where they sold musical instruments. I immediately got busy touching everything and asking a million questions. At some point, my Dad called me over to him. He was holding a full-sized wooden guitar. He asked me what I thought about it…and whether or not one of my brothers would like it. I agreed whole-heartedly that he would love it. (I really didn’t know if my brother was into playing guitar or not, but the guitar was so cool - how could he not love it?!) My Dad bought the guitar, put it in the truck and we headed home. He asked me not to tell anyone about it -keep it a secret- and I agreed. Quality time AND a secret with Daddy! WIN WIN!

The next time I saw that guitar it was under our Christmas tree. It had a tag on it that read, “To Mark, From Santa.” It took me a minute or two, but then I looked at my Dad. He was busy with “all things Christmas” - picking up wrapping paper, helping kids open taped boxes, setting aside bows (so they could be used again next year), etc. 

I didn’t say a word to anyone. It was a discovery just for me.. Was this the secret that I wasn’t supposed to say anything about? I was not sad or disappointed, what I felt was more like, “Of course! Santa is caring, thoughtful, generous and wonderful - who else could it be other than my Dad” They were not alike, they were one in the same. I felt grateful, lucky and proud that my Daddy was Santa. I also felt loved and special that my Daddy had trusted me to figure this out.

My Dad passed away in the Spring of 2024. This will be my second Christmas without him being here in person, but he is in my heart, thoughts and memories. I still smile (and cry a little) when I see Santa because I know my Dad was my Santa - every day of every year.

I continue to work to emulate my Dad’s goodness, kindness and blessings of patience, laughter, generosity and encouragement. For me, holidays bring gratitude into very sharp focus. Gratitude not for objects, but for memories, people, peace and time. I am intentional about not allowing room for regret and I hope the same for you. We are creating forever a day at a time, so let’s make it the best it can be.

Amy Mathews-Perez is a Texas-born & raised educator and a BIG fan of her Dad and of Santa. True to her father's example, she is well-known as an experience expert connecting, sharing, and highlighting the best in people and empowering them by promoting their working together for the greater good. As you may have guessed, Amy is 100% Nice List certified! You can join her in making the world a better place here.