10/4 Devotional: Remembering Allison

Poor Melanie, she had no idea what she was in for when I sat down next to her at CBS.  I gave a devotional about my friend Allison.  I cried through the devotional and Melanie even had to read for me at one point because I could not speak. Thanks Melanie, for helping through.Today

This is Allison visiting me in the hospital after I had William.  She was so excited about William.  She would stop me in the hall at church and talk to him while I was still pregnant.

One of my fondest memories of her and her family:

During the Christmas season, our families went to Buffalo Grill for dinner.  It was a cold dark night and I spotted a man and woman eating at a nearby booth.  The man had a long white beard, twinkling blue eyes and a round belly.  He looked exactly like Santa Claus.  I looked over at Allison's oldest daughter, Zoey, and said, "Look!  Its SANTA!"  Zoey was not believing me for a second and we playfully argued about whether or not this man was Santa. 

When the man and woman were done eating, the man came over to our table and looked at us and said, "I'll be watching you!"  The look on Zoey's face will forever be in my memory.  Her eyes were wide and bright and her mouth was open. It is exactly the awe and wonder and excitement that Christmas brings to all children. 

  I have inquired about them to the waiters from time to time.  They typically eat there on Sunday nights.  I am determined to buy this couple dinner the next time I see them in the restaurant. They have no idea the memory they have given me and I want to thank them. 

Incidentally, you should remember this story when I start crying at the mention of the name 'Santa Claus.'