Opportunity from failure....Santa IS real.

So being the prototype for the last-minute planner and coining the theory of on-timeish.....I decide to get my shit together and man up slightly towards the ultimate status of a Pintrest-Mom (crawl before walk, you know)....so, I get tickets IN ADVANCE to see Santa Underground at Ruby Falls...   

After school and homework, the ladies donned their new holiday outfits and we head up the mountain for an epic exploration to the allusive Santa Claus.       She said.   Mama fail.

Turns out, Mr. Claus is not around until Thursday at Ruby Falls....so with some quick thinking and good selling, I make Frazier Avenue shops and dinner sound like Disney Land.  Barely skirting massive disappointment, we make our way back down.   

The shops are adorable and we poke through, trying to find a few gifts for friends constantly arguing about what the girls could not have.   Before the pending melt-down erupted, we rock up to the appropriately named Good Dog for hotdogs and fries.   (side note: it's a hot dog joint on steroids and my Chicago Veggie Dog was write home-able. )

I stand up to take a picture of Mom and the ladies and notice something suspect behind them.  A notable man in his overalls and red plaid shirt.....'whose droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow....   He had a broad face and a little round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly'....  (yes, I can recite the 1822 Clement Clark Moore poem, The Night Before Christmas - so I had all the cross-referencing material I needed to confirm one Santa Claus). 

I keep watching before I say anything as his wife comes to sit down with him.   I could not have dreamt this shit up...she looked just like Mrs. Claus.    

So I quietly tell the girls to look over... the glow, the surprise, the wonderment, the excitement...if only it could be bottled up.    Eating became less important than starring at this poor man trying to have dinner....but we were in total disbelief.   

After my earlier move that send me back to the bottom-feeder-mom-status, I couldn't appreciate more how the law of attraction works and smile knowing there is always opportunity in failure. 

We snuck a photo and the gentleman kindly smiled at Senna and certainly brought more reality to the magic of the holidays than I have ever seen....    Believing is such a beautiful thing.   

Thank you, Sir.   

P.S.  Mr. Clause, In case you didn't understand any of the papers laying around the house with a questionable list of names on them...it is Senna's Christmas request and those are 6 specific American Girl Dolls.  But so you know, she is happy that she's not asking for too much since "it is really one gift because it is a 'group'."  

4/2019 UPDATE: She gave away all her American Girl everything 6 months ago. Go figure.

Nooga...

Following my thoughts of yesterday, after dropping the kids at their incredible school,  I listen to Steve Angello's live performance of Rejoice at TomorrowLand....the words, the meaning, the energy, the music....5 minutes of pure truth.  Change my mind.  I will rejoice.  

I have 30 minutes to spare so I grab a coffee at Revelator Coffee Company on Frasier Ave....and as most things in Chattanooga are....it is authentic.   My perfectly prepared cappuccino appears with a beautiful white heart in the center and a warm hug buried in its foam.   Ear buds and a walk over the bridge are in order.   I make my way and immediately see golden feet in the sidewalk showing dance steps...of course ....always dance.   I notice little hints of authenticity and energy tucked in every crevice of this absorbing town.   

I walk across the footbridge, chatting with Pat about the holidays, admiring the gifts this city has placed below and around me....    The rivers, lakes, mountains, streets, shops....they all have a signature with them.   An original feeling that is unique to here.   

Strolling down chalk alley, admiring the artwork, I start snapping pictures of the autographs of Chattanooga....   Stories are everywhere if you want to see them....   Watching the man raise the flag in Coolidge Park...  Seeing the carousel stand idle waiting for today's children to come play...    The bricks lined with memorials, names, thoughts....   Two pair of new socks purposely laid on a park bench, kindly waiting for someone that needs them....    The circle of stone animal fountains waiting to make a wish come true....   A security man smiles and waves...  A sign for free Nooga-Wifi hangs on the wall....   Each store originally and appropriately decorated with feeling and detail, by people that are passionate about what they do....

I start to think what could be out there that I want to do....really WANT to do.... that I could decorate with my feelings and my details....  That I could find success because I found joy and passion and adventure that is mine.   That would bring an opportunity for memories, moments and quality time with the girls and my true friends....

I smile as I realize my hands are completely numb, lost in the story and appreciate so much what this town does... it speaks from all angles with a lot to say...