the process of remembering: a photoblog by andrew huth

“Santa In Paradise”

While Heather and I were on vacation with Bobby and Heather, we drove through a town called Paradise, PA. It was a beautiful 75 degree afternoon. The last thing we expected to see on a warm April drive was Santa getting his daily exercise in for the day. It was an odd enough sight to pull the car over to take some pictures.

True to the legend of Santa, he was exceedingly friendly and was waving at all the cars passing by. While photographing him running towards me, I have to admit that I was a bit unnerved at the possibility that I had a deranged person running towards me. Lucky for me and for the rest of Paradise, Santa was not deranged at all. He stopped to talk with us and told us that he is known as the Santa of Paradise, PA. He says he does this because he enjoys bringing joy to all around him. Evidence of this joy-bringing was clearly seen in the waves of people waving back at Santa while on their drive to who knows where. He seemed like the kind of guy I wouldn’t mind sitting down to share a meal with or at the very least sit on his lap and tell him what I wanted for Christmas this year. Dedicated to playing the role of Santa, he told us that he likes running to keep in shape, but is careful not to excersice too much for fear of losing that Santa belly. I have to admit, this was one of the strangest and yet understandable reasons I have ever heard for having a pot belly.

Before we went on our way, Santa reminded us that the most important part of the word Christmas, is Christ. Thanks Santa for being Christ to us by feeding us with joy that day.