Sarah and her 13 year-old sister had been fighting a lot this year. (This happens when you combine a headstrong 2 1/2 year-old, who is sure she was always right, with a young adolescent.) Sarah's parents, trying to take advantage of her new-found interest in Santa Clause; reminded the 2 year old that Santa was watching, and doesn't like it when children fight. This had little impact.
"I'll just have to tell Santa about your misbehavior," the mother said as she picked up the phone and dialed. Sarah's eyes grew big as her mother asked "Mrs. Clause" (really Sarah's aunt; Santa's real line was busy) if she could put Santa on the line. Sarah's mouth dropped open as Mom described to Santa (Sarah's uncle) how the 2 year old was acting. But, when Mom said that Santa wanted to talk to her, she reluctantly took the phone.
Santa, in a deepened voice, explained to her how there would be no presents Christmas morning to children that fought with their sisters. He would be watching, and expected things to be better from now on.
Sarah, now even more wide eyed, solemnly nodded to each of Santa's remarks and silently hung the phone up when he was done. After a long moment, Mom (holding in her chuckles at being so clever) asked, "what did Santa say to you, Dear?"
In almost a whisper, Sarah sadly but matter-of-factly stated, "Santa said he won't be bringing toys to my sister this year."
Christmas--that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance--a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved. --Augusta E. Rundel
When Oklahoma chose Mistletoe as its flower in 1893, it was joining in a tradition as old as mythology itself. Since earliest antiquity these parasitic evergreens and their European counterparts, the golden bough of lore and legend, have symbolized mankind's shared aspirations and darkest fears. People once believed that mistletoe warded off evil spirits. People who came into a room under hanging mistletoe got a kiss as a symbol of love. Mistletoe was supposed to keep people healthy and make their marriages happy.
