I remember last Christmas asking myself, βWhat would happen if Santa ever lost
his holiday spirit?β Hopefully, Christmas is about more than the jolly, old guy
in the red suit and the world wouldnβt end if he took some time off. Still, I
thought this would be a fun idea to play with, so I created James Claussen the
quintessential Santa, who has played Santa Claus for family events, local
hospitals and shopping malls. But now, with the loss of his wife, James has lost
his joy in the season. In fact, heβs lost his joy, period. Which is where Olivia
Wallaceβs Icicle Creek Lodge in Icicle Falls comes in. This year Santa is going
to
THE LODGE ON HOLLY
ROAD where heβll meet a lot of people, all in search of a meaningful
Christmas, and maybe heβs going to find his Christmas Spirit again. Thatβs the
plan, anyway. Weβll see if things go according to plan.
Things donβt always go according to plan in books or in real life. A season that
holds so much joy for so many can be equally hard for others. Personal loss,
dysfunctional families, gatherings that go awry β anything can sneak up on us to
steal our holiday joy.
Since Christmas is my favorite holiday I try to always make sure thereβs
something I can appreciate about the big celebration, always some pocket of fun
I can sew into the season. I find great comfort in celebrating the message of
this holiday: Godβs love, peace on Earth, goodwill toward men. Itβs the biggest
birthday bash in the history of the world and I think thatβs always worth
celebrating. I love being with family, too. I remember one Christmas when we had
a big dumping of snow and I couldnβt make it to my brotherβs house for the
extended family celebration. I have to admit, I wasnβt a happy camper. We had to
postpone our own little family celebration too, as my daughterβs family was
snowed in and couldnβt get to us. But we did get together once the snow left and
made up for lost time. Last Christmas I was between chemo treatments and wearing
a wig. But I was still here and that was something to celebrate! This year I
have hair again β even more cause to celebrate!
And of course, Iβll be celebrating with the release of
THE LODGE ON HOLLY
ROAD as well as a special reissue of
THE NINE LIVES OF
CHRISTMAS featuring Ambrose, the snarky cat trying desperately to hold
onto his 9
th life by bringing together a shy pet lover and a
commitment phobic fireman. Ambrose has made it to the small screen this year
with
THE NINE LIVES OF
CHRISTMAS making its holiday debut on the Hallmark channel.
Needless to say I will have much to celebrate this Christmas. I hope you will too!
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