Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Uncle Wizard Pal - On Loving Surrogate Gramkids!

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Dear Peter,

Such wonderful brotherly love is rare--but I feel it every time you invite me into your family's lives. My old Laramie Scoutmaster, Larry Parker, a professor of wool science, long since passed in Botswana giving of himself to that continent, much like you do, once taught us we should make close friendships with younger folks--like Ben, Cole, Noah and Jackson. He said that our older friends would move on to the spirit world...and we would be awfully lonely unless we worked to generate friendship among the young.

I've enjoyed knowing the Van Dam Family in the same way. Joe, their loving wild third child calls me Uncle Wizard Pal. I call him Cheetah Joe--lopsided trade in my favor.

Since Rosie and I haven't been blessed with grandchildren (yet), and she is virtually unable to leave the house with all the things going on with her knees, her tummy and her migrane headaches--she appreciates the pictures of my adventures without having to put up with all the details that cause her pain.

J. Wizard Claus 2010

Gloria Cottam, our across the street neighbor and a former teacher told me the other day that I had missed my calling, She said I should have been a teacher because the kids can feel I love them almost instantly. I thanked her- and looked back over nearly 30 years as Santa with the Osmonds and all the family parties. I've been polishing my techniques with surrogate grand kids all those years. My classroom has turned to be out a bit bigger, I think.

Another great friend, James Arrington, calls me the mystic Santa--for the times I've showed up at the window and thrilled his little son--and then was invited in to deliver on the mystical promise of that initial appearance.

Over the years I've developed a closetful of tricks and techniques that involve youngsters--I could likely get a job as an activity leader in an elementary school. We've developed the idea that If you don't have your own, adopt some-- grandkids!

Thanks for your note, Peter. Friendship in the Kingdom just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it?. I'm glad you all enjoyed the pictures. For Rosie those pictures are a way out of the house to enjoy our friends--from a distance.

I love and appreciate you and all yours. Thank you for radiating the genuine love of the gospel to me and so many others!

Your friend,
 J.  Wizard Claus
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