Christmas Memories

I found this old photo of me and Jolly Ole' St. Nick...

Here is the story behind the photo - at least what I remember of it from over 30 yrs ago!

I was shopping at The Met Store (where I later got my first "real" job) with my mom. I had just made a purchase, on my own (evidenced by the paper bag) and was on my way to find my mom. I was clutching my change in my hand as a child typically will do, rather that putting it safely into a pocket.

I noticed that you could have your picture taken with Santa. I think I was about 8 years old in this photo - I'm sure I was not still believing in Santa. A lady working at the Santa photo set-up, asked if I'd like my picture taken with Santa. I said "sure". She held out her hand and took my money (which I naively thought she was just going to hold for me while I had my picture taken).

I had my photo taken and THEN realized the lady was keeping my money b/c even though Santa is a very generous fella - giving gifts to ALL the good little girls and boys - he had to make money somehow.

When I finally found my mother and told her the story - she was not pleased. We did not have much money back then and the $2 or however much it cost for the photo - was surely not to be "wasted" on a photo - especially when the girl having her photo taking with Santa - needed to have the grape kool-aid stain washed off her face BEFORE the photo was taken.