Jolly-Old Saint, WHO?

   As we enter into, yet, another season of Santa Claus, jolly-old elf, he, with his, BIG, BEARD, BIG-BELLY, and BIG LAUGH...HO HO HO...I cannot help but, contemplate, something, and, believe me, this, a thing I've thought of, over the years, even when my boys were young enough to sit on the lap of Ol' St. Nick. How is it, that, as, responsible, parents, those of us, who, while raising children, and, constantly, reminding them of 'Stranger-Danger', ever thought it was a good idea, to ask our wee ones to sit in the lap of a, complete stranger, a fat man, hiding behind glasses, AND a beard, so as to hide his, entire, face, and, expect them to be OK with that? Let's face it...we've all witnessed the child, who, when asked by Mommy and Daddy, to sit on the lap of Santa, in the hopes of acquiring that, great, X-Mas, photo, has cried, screamed, and, 'pitched a fit', causing public humiliation to the parents; AND, throughout the ordeal, said parents, continuing to insist that Junior be agreeable. Thankfully, my boys, always, seemed OK, with Mr. Claus; yet, I've, often, tried to imagine, WHAT on earth they thought of their initial, experience's with him. I'm, pretty, certain, that they weren't 'scarred for life', but...ya never know! Next time I see them, I'm gonna ask! I'm fairly, sure, though, that they trusted the annual, visitor, as, I, myself, typically, sat in his lap, as well, big-kid, that I am! In any event...tis the Season, and, 'the Man in Red' will be making his appearances at shopping centers, and, his presence known, elsewhere, all over the globe. Most kiddies, in all likelihood, will be delighted to see the Old Boy, but, there WILL, undoubtedly, be the bashful, boy or girl, who'll give 'Kris Kringle' the 'once over', and, wonder, 'What on earth are my parents thinking?!?!' As for that, question, uttered by ALL, children, at one time or another, odds are...it WON'T be the last time it's asked! Just Sayin'...