In the Company of Power
On Saturday of last week, Bianca, Isaac and I did our annual trek to the mall to do some Christmas shopping and to see, of course, Santa. I-man wasn't 100%, but he was more than excited about an opportunity to see the big guy face to face.
As with most things Santa related, once in the company of such great power, little guys and gals lose their nerve. After all, what would you do if, on an annual basis you had to meet with and tell your wishes to a person that was the equivalent of the President, the Pope, and Steven Speilberg all at the same time. Here is Santa, the decider, the moral arbiter, and the paramount of celebrity, and you have to tell him what you want for Christmas. In that context it seems a little intimidating. And it is.
Isaac stood, face to face, and talked to him--telling him he wanted a Wonder Woman action figure, a few stuffed animals, and some Lego Star Wars stuff. Then he blanked. Sensing the impending freeze up Santa asked Isaac if he would like to take a picture. Isaac hoped up on his lap and sat there, not exactly smiling and not exactly frowning. He was somewhere in the middle. I tried to get him to smile by sticking out my tongue and then in a quick moment I will never forget Isaac flashed me a look that was something like "Dad, not now, not in front of the big guy...my whole Christmas is on the line." I backed off and he took his picture.
Still in a daze, as he got down he told Bianca that he blew it--he didn't ask for enough stuff.
I love our kid.
As with most things Santa related, once in the company of such great power, little guys and gals lose their nerve. After all, what would you do if, on an annual basis you had to meet with and tell your wishes to a person that was the equivalent of the President, the Pope, and Steven Speilberg all at the same time. Here is Santa, the decider, the moral arbiter, and the paramount of celebrity, and you have to tell him what you want for Christmas. In that context it seems a little intimidating. And it is.
Isaac stood, face to face, and talked to him--telling him he wanted a Wonder Woman action figure, a few stuffed animals, and some Lego Star Wars stuff. Then he blanked. Sensing the impending freeze up Santa asked Isaac if he would like to take a picture. Isaac hoped up on his lap and sat there, not exactly smiling and not exactly frowning. He was somewhere in the middle. I tried to get him to smile by sticking out my tongue and then in a quick moment I will never forget Isaac flashed me a look that was something like "Dad, not now, not in front of the big guy...my whole Christmas is on the line." I backed off and he took his picture.
Still in a daze, as he got down he told Bianca that he blew it--he didn't ask for enough stuff.
I love our kid.