Dear Editor:
When I receive my Advertiser each week, the first thing I look for is Kelly Waterhouse’s column and I read what she has to say.
Just before Christmas, I went shopping with my friend, Anna, and we stopped at the Fergus Tim Hortons for coffee … When I left the lineup I turned to find Anna in a corner talking to … you guessed it, the famous Fergus Santa.
He offered us candy, but more important he offered us conversation. He told us how his grandfather and also his father, were famous Fergus Santas.
Then, he showed us Kelly’s column (Fergus Santa, Dec. 20) and wanted to know if we had read it (you scored well there, Kelly). I told him it was on my to-do list but asked to hear more about him and his good work and his good news.
He was enlightening and the adults sitting around, who up to this point had just smiled in our direction, were now stopping their sipping and listening to our conversation.
Christmas is a busy time for all of us but Fergus Santa reminded me that we should never be too busy to stop and share our feelings with others, but most importantly, listen to what they have to say. It just takes a moment to compliment someone, or even more so, listen to their needs or concerns. Our causes are important but more important are the needs of others.
He was caring, told us how much joy it brought to him to bring Santa’s joy to others. This was his way of giving. It reminded me that Christmas feelings should be a part of our lives every day, not just at the yuletide season. We should try and be more like Fergus Santa, who I hope is reading this and realizes there are many who appreciate his good works.
I came home after my busy day interacting with other Christmas shoppers and read Kelly’s column. Kudos to you, Kelly Waterhouse, you were definitely not “write out of your mind” on this one.
Looking forward to your columns and seeing Santa in 2019.
Carolyn Ridler,
East Garafraxa