In How Nicholas Became Santa Clause, Father Time taught Nicholas to maintain a strong faith, keep a positive attitude, think before acting, and to learn from every situation. This weekend we begin the Year 2013 and we have already survived the end of the world. I say that was a good indication that this year's not going to be too bad. So let's all resolve to treat each other with respect and kindness, keep a smile on our face and a helping good hand extended to our neighbor. Let us also remember to be courteous and gracious when we accept a helping hand.

     The learning process for life as frustrating as it may seem is the same you have to practice until you get it right. We interact with the people around us daily, how we do so, becomes the foundation of our character, the face we present to the world.

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(photo taken from)        http://www.proudtobeamother.com/?p=153

Love Youis the most important phrase your child and spouse should hear on a daily basis. In our rush rush rush society, it is easy to forget to let those we love know that we do. In our home as parents we have a few rules we make sure not to disregard. No matter how busy or stressed we become we make sure we have at least one meal per day eaten as a family with all members present. Never go to bed without reminding everyone in the home how much they are loved. Don't let tensions stew, bring them into the open and talk about them. We try to allow all our adult children to act like adults only stepping in if a situation seem to be coming to a boil. Last and maybe most important everyone in the home must be treated with respect at all times, which includes please and thank you when spoken to. This includes anyone within our presence or our wall at any time.

     Life has a way of keeping one off balance. Although life is not always fair, there always seems to be something happening to upset the quiet peace we all seek: the IRS comes calling, someone becomes ill or dies, family members won’t speak to one other for inexplicable reasons, and allow through either sufferance or habit to let it continue. Someone looses their job, or worse, war breaks out and threatens family, neighbors, and friends. If we wish to survive the punches life throws our way and remain sane, we need to think on our feet and adapt.

     Recently the news has been filled with horrid stories of war, children murdered in their schools, and extreme weather events. These events can have a profound effect on our psyche, but we must choose to react in positively. We need to comfort and reassure our children to let them know the world is not out to get them. The majority of people in the world are caring and gentle. We are in the season of kindness and giving, a time for sharing with family and friends. Yet there are many among us facing economic hardships and loneliness. Sadly, these situations may cause some people to behave unexpectedly.

     In How Nicholas became Santa Clause, Nicholas dealt with the murders of parents, friends, and neighbors with prayer and counsel from others. We have used these coping mechanisms throughout our marriage. We have survived children born prematurely, miscarriages, deaths of parents and siblings, familial estrangement and financial difficulty. With belief and positive thinking you will not only survive, but also excel.

     I CAN'T ... the most poisonous words know to man. My Grandfather repeated, as if a mantra “Positive thinking brings positive outcomes and with help you have no limits.” I believe that my grandfather was both wise and correct. As my husband and I struggled with homework, employment, marriage and rearing our children we frequently received the advice “if you think you can figure it out ... you will,” and eventually we always did. So too was the advice that was given to Nicholas.

     Nicholas observed and interacted with the Peoples and Oddlings around him. He learned to empathize and have compassion for his neighbors. When he saw people suffering Nicholas set aside regard for his own safety and acted in stealth to supply the needs of his neighbors.

     If we had to choose a message from How Nicholas Became Santa Clause to carry as a foundation for the decisions made in life, it would be the advice offered by Father Time. “…The final course of a time-line will be determined by the choices or actions taken by the beings, individual or groups most affected by that time line. Time exists for only one main purpose, Nicholas. Implicit within that purpose, is times ability to allow us to have experiences, and learn from them. Along the way we learn to help others to make choices that will result in better outcomes. This is such a case.”

Look what the mind can do.

http://youtu.be/LQOVsiy_gM0

In this season of faith and giving it is easy to see the gifts offered in public. But how often do you notice the little acts of kindness we see or may receive? A homeless man received a pair of socks and boots from a policeman. Two fans at a Blake Sheldon concert held another fan who could not stand on his own, above the crowd for over fifteen minutes, so the disabled man could see Blake perform. Every Christmas season an anonymous donor places gold coins in the collection buckets around the city. Spontaneous acts of kindness are offered because someone had a need, that would be met if someone else lent a hand.

     Charitable by nature, Nicholas Clause was kind and giving always. When he was a child, Nicholas would help with chores, or stay in the barn with an animal that was ill. Nicholas made a doll for Princess Angelica to make her feel better when her family believed her to be dying. When he was a young man, Nicholas would toss food, medicine or money through the window of a neighbor who was most in need. Nicholas also offered shelter in exchange for work to his

    Nicholas made a doll for Princess Angelica to make her feel better when her family believed her to be dying. When he was a young man, Nicholas would toss food, medicine or money through the window of a neighbor who was most in need. Nicholas also offered shelter in exchange for work to his neighbors, displaced by war, allowing his neighbors to maintain their self- respect.

    Per example, Nicholas Clause was raised to treat everyone he met with compassion, respect and kindness. During this holiday season, it is our Christmas wish, that all inhabitants of our world receive the gifts of compassion, love, health and peace. 

How Nicholas Became Santa Clause is now available from the Matteson Public Library, 801 School Avenue, Matteson, Illinois 60443

708-748-4431  www.mattesonpulbillibrary.org        mobile device access link: www.libanywhere.com/m/396

Mon - Thun  9am - 9pm   Fri - Sat  9am - 5pm  Sun  1pm - 5pm (Sept - May)

    In the story How Nicholas Became Santa Clause, we experience Nicholas growing from an infant to his late teens. We observe not only his sense of adventure, but also his insatiably curiosity, his impulsivity and mischievousness. All comprising characteristics that would ironically delight yet infuriate any parent.

    A curious child, Nicholas would wander the forest, following and mimicking not only his parents, but also the animals of the farm. On trips with his father, traveling to the castle and to various surrounding towns, Nicholas found himself copying the hand gestures and mouth movements of peoples he observed conducting business, or buying in the markets. He worked hard to learn the strange polyglot of languages. Nicholas worked with Tom both on the farm and in the Woodwright’s workshop.

    Nicholas learned he had a natural ability to make useful things from whatever wood pieces or scraps he had on hand. Nicholas took time to ensure everything was made with love. At the workshop, Nicholas learned to make furniture, tools, and toys. More importantly, Tom and Mary taught Nicholas to be compassionate and faithful. Becoming firmly embedded within his personality, faith led him to become a Bishop, a station that allowed him to gift blessings, teach, and aid his community.

    Traveling with his father, Nicholas witnessed the impoverished, and oppressed station of his neighbors. Their situation saddening him so, he could scarcely stand by and do nothing. With his parents consent, Nicholas began sharing food and medicine produced on the farm with those in need. Furiously hiding away some of his wages, Nicholas shared his saving with his neighbors to ensure they could pay obligatory, yet oppressive taxes. Nicholas struggled to manage his temper, a weakness of control that frequently got him into trouble. Balancing his temper, however, was an inner peace. An empathetic soul Nicholas was kind and generous to a near fault.

Where did Santa Claus come from and why do we have to be asleep when he comes?

My siblings, cousins, and friends asked this when we were growing up, but no one had a consistent answer.

     My husband and I had recently moved to Milwaukee when I had begun pondering the question. We just had a little girl and we were expecting another child. If our little girl was awake she was crying, and when she did, neither she nor we would not sleep much. As it was late fall, commercials for the holidays had begun. Attempting to sooth her, I began to tell her the stories of Saint Nicholas my Grandparents used to tell me. To our amazement, she seemed to delight in the stories, with cooing and smiling instead of crying.

     Abruptly, things changed. She had breathing issues and her health suddenly declined. Sadly, she died at four months old. Distraught, empty, and pregnant, we decided to return home to Chicago. The doctors said I had to stay in bed through the pregnancy or we would loose the baby. I had lost one baby, but I had not lost the stories I told to her. Estranged from my family, I had some time to think. I had begun writing down the stories of Saint Nicholas from my childhood, but with a twist.

     For about thirty years, while we raised our family, studied, and improved our writing skills, How Nicholas Became Santa Clause had been in the works. I submitted the first four pages of the story to several publishers. After four years of no response from publishing houses, Author House called in October 2011. They said they were interested in publishing How Nicholas Became Santa Clause, but they wanted it ready by December 2011. Although it far from ready, I told Author House I would try to meet the deadline. Urgently in need of a completed story, I had asked my husband Darrell if he would help. Until Author house had called, he had been unaware of my writing a story. Darrell read the several pages I had of How Nicholas Became Santa Clause. Impressed with the story line and my invented magical creatures, he said yes. We used a program called Dramatica Pro to organize and finish the story. We met the December deadline.

     Since then, How Nicholas Became Santa Clause has gone live. We traveled to Pitch Fest in Hollywood, California. There, we spoke to representatives from fourteen movie studios; two have requested a copy of the book. Subsequently, we were interviewed on Author Talk with Steve Jorgenson of TAGINE Internet radio and we’ve taken part in an Online Book Signing. As of this reading, How Nicholas became Santa Clause shall have been included in the Ingram Publishing Catalog, ForeWard magazine, and Asimov’s Magazine. In spring we expect How Nicholas Became Santa Clause to be available in audiobook form.

Now that fall is upon us try to imagine Nicholas at five years old living in the Auora Kingdoms.  Picture walking through the Orphic Forest and catching a glimpse of Color Sprites giggling, flitting from leaf to leaf painting the leaves.  Listening to the tick of the falling leave as they count the minutes until the plants are asleep for the winter.   

Now imagine you are Nicholas playing and searching to see if you really did see something painting the leaves.

 So glad to get questions, comments and suggestions from our readers.

We have received several questions in the last few weeks asking the best place to buy How Nicholas Became Santa Clause that will allow the authors royalties.

 The answer is www.authorhouse.com.  

Work is proceeding well on the next book in the series, so please post your review so we know what to improve .

Sandy