We all know Santa Claus is real.
But he has his challenges 91裸聊视频� for security reasons, for instance, he has to go by all kinds of pseudonyms, particularly when fulfilling all his responsibilities during the Christmas season.
On the Semiahmoo Peninsula one of the identities he has assumed 91裸聊视频� with the willing co-operation of the individual in question 91裸聊视频� is that of a South Surrey resident, retired pressman Don Bennett, 87.
Bennett has been helping him out in the community for 25-plus years, Santa told the Peace Arch News by email 91裸聊视频� evidently from the North Pole 91裸聊视频� adding that 91裸聊视频榯hey91裸聊视频� have done all the major malls in the area.
91裸聊视频淏ut I prefer a more relaxed setting, such as the 91裸聊视频楤reakfast With Santa91裸聊视频� event at Softball City, which I91裸聊视频檝e attended for over 20 years,91裸聊视频� he said.
91裸聊视频淵ou just never know where or when Santa might turn up,91裸聊视频� he added.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檝e done major grocery chains, kids91裸聊视频� parties, Canadian Union of Public Employees91裸聊视频� parties, private house parties and numerous other corporate Christmas parties 91裸聊视频� I even did work (through Bennett) for an agency for three or four years.91裸聊视频�
Ironically, Santa said, for all the help he has been with seasonal duties in recent decades, Christmas was 91裸聊视频渘ever a big deal91裸聊视频� for Bennett when he was growing up.
91裸聊视频�(He) was born in Vancouver in the middle of the Second World War,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淗ad a paper route and then worked for a neighborhood meat market as a teenager.91裸聊视频�
For many years Bennett worked at the Vancouver Sun, and later for all of Pacific Press, Santa added.
91裸聊视频�(He) delivered advertising proofs all over downtown Vancouver while waiting to begin an apprenticeship as a plate maker 91裸聊视频� even worked in the fledgling computer room, (which was) operating on punch cards in the 1960s, and sold classified ads.91裸聊视频�
Eventually, Bennett got his apprenticeship in the press room where he stayed until he was forced to retire after a triple arterial bypass operation, Santa said.
Bennett was married for 63 years until he lost his wife just two years ago, he noted, but they have two adopted daughters (91裸聊视频渢he pride of my life,91裸聊视频� Bennett has told him) and four grandchildren 91裸聊视频� and now one great granddaughter.
Presumably because most of the facts about his life are well-known, Santa was reluctant to talk about himself, however.
Although he most assuredly has a list and checks it twice, he was not about to relieve our curiosity about who made the naughty and nice categories this year, particularly when it came to local politicians.
91裸聊视频淪orry91裸聊视频anta is apolitical,91裸聊视频� he replied.
Nor could he be drawn on what he feels about many conspiracy theories that hold that he doesn91裸聊视频檛 exist.
91裸聊视频淵ou are entitled to to your own opinion,91裸聊视频� was all he would say on that.
But both he and Bennett agree that their favourite part of Christmas is 91裸聊视频渨hen it91裸聊视频檚 all over and packed up and we can return to peace in the valley.91裸聊视频�
While people seldom ask Santa what he wants for Christmas, he said his greatest wish is for 91裸聊视频渟ome more peace and tolerance in this tired old world.91裸聊视频�
His basic message for us for the season doesn91裸聊视频檛 vary: 91裸聊视频淎 very merry Christmas and a happy and, hopefully, prosperous New Year.91裸聊视频�
But he is more forthcoming when questioned about the most unusual Christmas gift he was ever asked for.
91裸聊视频淚 was at a private house party and a woman came up to me and said 91裸聊视频業 hope you will be cool with my kids 91裸聊视频� I just lost my husband91裸聊视频�,91裸聊视频� he said.
91裸聊视频淭he first two children didn91裸聊视频檛 ask for much,91裸聊视频� he recalled.
91裸聊视频淭hen the third one got on my knee and I asked what she would like for Christmas.
91裸聊视频淪he said 91裸聊视频業 don91裸聊视频檛 want anything for Christmas, but on your way past Heaven would you please tell my daddy that I love him?91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淚 hugged her so hard I thought her eyes would pop, and I said 91裸聊视频淥f course, sweetie 91裸聊视频� that will be my first stop.91裸聊视频�
