I'm not usually a big fan of Christmas shopping in general and malls in particular, but i do look forward to visiting Willow Grove Park Mall when i get the chance. For one thing, it has a reputation for having an excellent Santa, and this year is no exception. I'm not sure how long Mrs. Claus has been helping out, but it's a great idea. The toddlers seemed far less likely to burst into terrified screams at the sight of a little old lady in a red dress and white cap than at being plopped on the lap of an old man with an excessive amount of facial hair. They're a cute couple, Mr. and Mrs. Claus of Willow Grove, PA!
The other thing that i like about Willow Grove is that the location seems haunted in a good way by the lingering laughter and delighted squeals of generations of children (myself included) who used to go to the wonderful amusement park that once was there. I was stung by a bee there during the annual family day for postal employees, and i didn't even care because i was at Willow Grove and all the rides were free that day (or at least that's how i remember it). So even now, lo these many decades later, while i'm browsing in the shops i have a smile on my face, remembering the roller coaster, the bee, the merry-go-round. There's still a carousel in the corner of the mall, and even though it's not nearly as large as the original one, and the animals are made of fiberglass rather than hand-carved wood, children still tug on their parents' arms begging to be allowed to take a ride on it.
It's been a hard week, and even the simple word "children" still makes my eyes fill with tears. But it was comforting to watch all those happy and innocent little people today, sitting trustingly on Santa's or Mrs. Claus's lap or waving to their parents as they rode the carousel, going round and round on the back of a rearing horse, an elephant, a tiger.
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