Sergio: Maybe if I sit here on the shelf like an elf is supposed to, I’ll be able to figure out how to contact Santa. He scratched behind his ear. I thought about applying for a job at the North Pole. This time of year, I expect Santa can use all the elf help he can get … but I couldn’t leave Luna, and she wouldn’t want to be in a strange place with a lot of strangers — even if it IS Santa’s workshop. He sighed and glanced to his left. A smile crept across his face. I can ask the Angel. She’ll know how to reach Santa!

Sergio jumped up and trotted across the top of the bookcase to where the Angel stood. She took his hand and the wall behind them dissolved into a starry night sky and the bookcase became a snowy mountaintop.

Angel: Do you see all the stars God has put in the heavens?
Sergio nodded.
They are there to help people navigate through life. Santa uses them to find his way for Christmas
With shining eyes, Sergio took a deep breath, then his head drooped and shoulders slumped.
Sergio: But knowing Santa uses the stars doesn’t help me find him to ask for Luna’s miracle.
Angel: The stars are his guide for bringing the gift of Christmas spirit to the world. Have faith and you will find your guide to bring Luna her joy.

The Angel released Sergio’s hand and the stars became the wall and the bookcase was once again made out of wood. Sergio ran to the side of the bookcase and slid down the cover.
Sergio: I have to go find Luna and tell her everything is going to be okay. I will have a guide … like a star … to help me find Santa.

And just like that, Sergio’s happiness had been restored.

The post Sloth on a Shelf – Day 10 appeared first on Be the Cat.

When I asked Luna where he was, she told me, “He talk to Santa.” Unfortunately, given his obsession with finding St. Nicholas that little tidbit didn’t help much. For a moment I panicked thinking of my poor little sloth-elf crawling down the highway with a hobo pack on his back trying to make it to the North Pole. I took a few steps toward the front door, trying to figure out how far a small sloth could get in the less than ten minutes I had been gone. Then I stopped dead.

Luna was far too calm and focused for Sergio to not be in the house. And he never would have left her to journey to the North Pole, he’d have dressed her in winter wear and taken her with. I closed my eyes — nothing but the sound of the crayon sliding across the paper. With Sergio, could too quiet be a good thing?

When I asked Luna again where Sergio was, she glared at me through narrowed brown eyes. “With Santa!” She pulled the page she was coloring in close. “Need to finish.”

Well, I guess she told me. Never get between Luna and her story books or her pictures … she was always off in another world. Where did I have Santa in the house? Then it dawned. I tiptoed to the bathroom door and opened it a crack. Sure enough, there sat Sergio on top of the toilet tank swinging his legs back and forth, and humming Christmas carols under his breath. He waved when he saw my eye peeking in. I opened the door further.
Me: What’cha doin’, Sergio?
Sergio: Been talking with the flat Santa head. I’d heard about the naughty and nice list and needed to know which list we were on. After all, Santa might not grant a miracle for anyone on the naughty list.
Me: Biting my lip to keep from smiling. So? Did you find out?
He nodded and grinned.
Sergio:Yep. Flat Santa said Luna and me don’t have anything to worry about. He paused for a moment. You on the other hand …

Guess I might be in for a stocking stuffed with coal.

The post Sloth on a Shelf – Day 9 appeared first on Be the Cat.