A Christmas Gift

Today we went to see Santa.

We do this every year but it was met this time by something I wish I saw more often.

As we were in line there was a Mother in front of us with her cute two year old.  He was so excited to see Santa and when it was his turn he ran and jumped on his lap.

I moved to the side as my Emma was next and I wanted to make sure I could see.

Next to me was a family just watching everything.  Mom, Dad and three older daughters.  Probably high school age and up.

As the little boy finished his pictures he leaned into Santa and gave him the biggest hug which just so happened to get caught on film by a very quick girl working at the photo booth.

The Mom decided to purchase one of the photos but not the hug photo.

As the other helper at the booth walked by, the Dad I was standing next to (no relation to the mom and son) asked the girl if they bought the hug photo to which the girl replied “no”.

He very quietly leaned over and told the girl “Slip it in her bag with the other photos.  When she leaves I will pay for it.”

The girl looked stunned and asked “Are you related?”

The Dad smiled and said “No.  But trust me.  This will be the photo she will want 10 years from now” as he looked back at his older kids.

I glanced across and unknowingly to the Mom, the photo was slipped in without a word.

You know what?  This Dad was right.  Completely right.

It is the one little thing, that seems like nothing, that will mean the most later on in life.

A Mom somewhere in Nashville will realize this and probably wonder exactly where that photo came from.  I bet it is the one that is cherished for a lifetime.

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