You see, Aarene has had more reason than I to dislike the rank commercialism that infests what should be a season of renewal. You can read a bit about that on this post from the Haiku Farm blog. So, when the Queen Grinch told me I should consider becoming Santa, I paid attention.
Then I saw "Becoming Santa", a movie written by Jack Sanderson, that follows him on his own eponymous journey. Jack, a somewhat disassociated forty-something, experienced the same hollowness at the holidays since his mothers passing. He learns his recently deceased father had portrayed Santa for several years following his mother's death as a way to recapture the Christmas spirit This example prompts him to dye his hair, go to Santa school, and become Santa for a season.
The Trailer for Becoming Santa. View the full-length movie here.
At about the same time, I discovered that a high school classmate, Kevin Scott has been a Santa in Southern California for years. After seeing a brief news piece on his career, my mission became more clear. I began to grow out my beard, and plan for Santa School. All the while managing my responsibilities as the Director of Technology for Volunteers of America Western Washington, as a minister for the Church of Volunteers of America, as a Ruling Elder within my church, and all those duties and responsibilities that come with being a Dad, a husband, and a hobby farmer and homeowner.
Why make anything easy, right?
As my beard got longer, and the time got shorter, it became evident that Santa School wasn't happening this year. As I firmly took steps to leap into the Santa community nonetheless, I learned about the Norpac Santas, a regional International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas chapter. I joined the company of these fine men just in time to attend the Third Annual Santa's Workshop at Great Wolf Lodge. Persuading Aarene to join me was no great feat, with the promise of an indoor water park at the end of the ride. We farmed out the children for the weekend, and off we went on what will be my first learning experience on the road to Santa-hood.
In the next installment, I will talk about the conference, the organizations, and the men and women I met.
