Grandpa > Santa

When I am a toddler, my grandfather has to work nights. This is what happens during one less than pleasant Christmas.

Me: “Where’s Grandpa?”

Mom: “He has to work tonight. But look! Santa is here!”

Me: “I don’t want Santa! I want Grandpa!”

I cry inconsolably. “Santa” goes up the stairs and Grandpa comes down. It takes me a minute to realize what happened.

Me: “I’m never talking to you again!”

While I did eventually relent, that was the last time they mentioned Santa — at least until my brother was born seven years later. Thankfully, they never pulled this trick again. Family is always more important than Santa.