Riding the Whirlwind

   It is late evening on a cool, crisp night here on the Bayou.  All is quiet. It is Christmas Eve and I have settled in by the old wood stove to listen to nothing save the crackling of the flames.  This is the new Christmas Eve for me.  With the kids all grown and with families of their own, Old Santa has no stockings to fill at the Little Bayou House.  The tree is decorated as is the whole house but what used to be a huge mound of gifts beneath the tree has dwindled to a few meager packages.  There is no last minute wrapping or secretive stashing of gifts.  So, I settle in to listen to the fire with a sense of satisfaction that my job is done and it is all in my kids' hands now.  Old Santa is a new generation.

  Speaking of Santa, did you know that he comes riding in on many ways?  That sleigh is not the only means of transportation for the Jolly Old Elf.  I am sure that you have seen the many depictions of him on reindeer, white horses, dog sleds, skis, rockets, planes, trains, ships and any other movable object.  Yep, Santa Claus really does have a lot of methods of transportation.  Still, there is one tale of his travels that is quite unheard and, yet, quite unique.  He sometimes rides in on hurricanes!  Hurricane Katrina brought Old Kris Kringle to the Bayou nigh on a decade ago!  

  The day following that devastating storm saw us (like most Coast folks) trying to dig out from beneath a mountain of debris.  Huge mounds nearly ten feet deep were stacked against the house and as far as one could see.  This debris contained everything that fell in the pathway of that demon as it plowed its way to our house.  If you could name it or describe it, we could find it in this mess.  Most of it was destroyed beyond use but other things would take you by surprise...as did Santa. Down in the creek behind the house, I found a small knickknack still intact.  I was amazed to find a porcelain figurine without even a chip or scratch.  This was a Christmas decoration featuring Santa Claus and a group of children.  The figurine was sitting on top of a pile of debris as if someone had gently set it there for me to find.  I needed to find it.  I needed a bit of happiness in the midst of all the turmoil.  I needed a reason to smile.  I needed Santa Claus and five happy little kids.  Santa came in August that year and he came in on a hurricane's tidal surge.  (I guess that gives a new meaning to "riding out the storm"!)

  In the Little Bayou House, most things have a tale behind them.  It makes the place interesting.  I keep these oddities on hand merely because of the memories...some good...a few bad.  This Jolly Old Saint Nick is a good one.  Sure, it was the most terrible of hurricanes that brought the thing to me but it is the bit of happiness that I recall....the bit of light in the darkness...the hope for Christmases to come...the peace in the wake of the storm.  Some times it is the oddest of things that can bring a smile.

  Merry Christmas from the Bayou to each of you, my friends.  May God bless you and bring you many reasons to smile tomorrow morn!  Happy Christmas to all and to all a good-night.