The Santa Marathon

This past weekend I ran a half-marathon (~13 miles). I’d been training for a while, running with my boys while they rode their bikes and the occasional jog on the gym treadmill, but my body wasn’t as prepared as it could have been. I’ve never run a half-marathon. And though I started strong, around 3/4ths of the way through I forgot how to move my legs. I did my best sprint across the finish line and collected my medal while trying also collect my breath. I am still sore and have yet to fully commit to another long-distance race.

I listened to a few Beatles albums during the run, which left my mind to wonder at the passing greenery, observe the other runners, and spend some time sifting through some thoughts while enjoying a grand soundtrack. Throughout the 2.5 hours it took me to finish, I started making some parallels between running a race and life. It’s a curious thought, and though it can be applied in a general way, I’d like to draw a comparison specifically to the Santa Claus community.

Cheering on the Runners

Racers are of different levels of experience. I could tell during my race that some of the runners were very familiar, while others not so much, with how an event like this typically goes. Speed and endurance seemed to be the determining factors. Because the route was a loop and there were a few other distances being ran as well, people were passing on both sides of the path in either direction. Some of the quicker, more experienced runners would cheer on those who they would pass by on their way back. I was cheered often (as I wasn’t fast) and I, myself, cheered on the few experienced runners who looked exhausted as they headed back past me.

No matter where you are in life, you can always cheer on others. There are those who have less experience, whether that be in years or mileage. Those with more experience can be the biggest cheerleaders, and it’s authentic. They’ve been in shoes with lesser wear. While I ran down the path, some ahead of me, coming back, were smiling and cheering me on. They said positive things. Even towards the end when most everyone was off the path and there were a handful of us left, I would be passed and still cheered on. Because we were enduring (or suffering?) together we shared a common bond.

Some runners were quick, would walk for a bit then speed back up, and some were slow and steady. There were some tall, some short, and many of different weights, ethnicity, and stages of “being in shape.” Even amongst the experienced crowd there was diversity.

No matter where we are on the path, we can lend encouragement to our fellow runners. Even if we are unable to run, or have just volunteered to man the water stations and hand out jolly ranchers, what we do has the potential to uplift and sustain others, with hardly any effort on our part.

Words of encouragement do not cost much to give yet can mean the world to those who receive them.

The Blame

After the race I had just enough time to go home and shower before heading out to a Lone Star Santas “Eatin’ Meetin.’” As a rowdy bunch we do like to tease, and the root of some teasing seems to come from finding faults in others as they speak. I cannot imagine how the class clowns from the past 50 years have all ended up becoming Santas. During the meeting, if someone misspoke, jumping onto that mistake and getting a laugh through a clever comment was a race. Had we been in school, we all would have been assigned detention for speaking out of turn. This wasn’t the only meeting this has happened in, it did take me till that meeting to realize it though.

I was sitting there when it struck me that there’s another side of the coin. Yes, we poke fun of each other with love, but many of those pokes come from us finding “fault” with one another, by being critical of one another. In the Santa Claus community, there not only is comradery, friendship, and laughs, there seems to be an awful lot of back biting. Finding fault just to find fault. The attitude of “I’m holier than thou.” Someone much wiser than me proved an interesting viewpoint when they said (and I’m paraphrasing here) “Sitting in church doesn’t make you a good person anymore than being in a garage makes you a car.” Just because someone has a suit and beard doesn’t make them a Santa Claus. We need more good Santa Clauses who not only look and act at a high standard when performing but also are good to their fellow performers. This mentality of tearing each other down just because we do things differently or that some participants are less experienced, or younger, or have a false beard seems to permeate in the community.

I am not condoning a sloppy appearance or laziness when it comes to learning more skills. There is a high standard we should work towards, and someone with a good heart will continue to obtain training while also passing onto others what they have learned. I have gotten to the point with my two children (one is two years older than the other) where I ask “are we criticizing or are we teaching?” That mindset has helped the elder brother be kinder and more patient with his little brother.

In the community, I think something like that is needed. Instead of criticizing bluntly, perhaps more could be done with encouraging words, especially on social media. Yes, there’s a time for teaching and a time for learning. I have witnessed 2-3 specific gentlemen teach with love and offer advice in their comments. They are the exception, and I believe we could learn more by following their example.

How many times have we rushed to comment on something without seeing if someone else has already made the point? How often are we quick to judge and often misinterpret the purpose of or misread a post?

Taking a moment from our path, to look up and smile, to pass encouragement onto the less experienced, to receive it from those who have gone before us, can only help lift us towards where we need to be.

I must admit there are those who post photos or engage in social media under the guise of asking for help but don’t want it nevertheless. These are the pigs, mice, and horses who belong in their own “Little Red Hen” tale who don’t want to do anything, are content with the little effort it takes not to do anything but think they deserve all the bread anyways. Be wary of giving advice where it’s not asked for and when you do so, do so kindly. The manner you give advice provides a glimpse into your own character.

You may have days where you’re grumpy or need encouragement of your own. I have found that by serving others my own attitude improves. Yes, you may be busy, and there may be pressure to respond to every comment and every message you get as quickly as possible. Remember a delayed response is better than a hurtful word.

During my “run” as a Santa Claus I have experienced a lot of criticism, backbiting, hateful speech, and outright antagonistic online behaviour from the community. The worst of it has come from people I started out respecting, people I had hoped would cheer ME on as I raced, three specific individuals who have been inducted into the Santa Claus Hall of Fame. I was confused when I heard that these three men, who were supposed to embody Santa Claus at the highest and most elevated level, found it needful to harass online both publicly and in private a younger, hopeful ambassador to the man at the North Pole. I was heartbroken, and my heart still aches for the loss of those acquaintanceships. Perhaps someday that will change.

I am often reminded of King David, who for all the good he did is remembered for sinning against the Lord in the adultery with Uriah’s wife, the murder of Uriah, and for numbering the House of Israel. This is the same man who defeated Goliath, who united the House of Israel, who was a great warrior and advocate, and who loved the Lord. He was a man who did much good yet is primarily remembered for those things he did wrong. Judgement is God’s alone, and as for perfect role models only one truly perfect example comes to mind. In generalizing this principal and not ignoring the seriousness of what David did, I believe minor mistakes should not wipe out a lifetime of good. Take any mortal role model and one doesn’t have to look far to find fault with them. That should not negate all the good they have done.

I hope to give that handful of specific men the benefit of the doubt; that they are indeed deserving of the Santa Claus Hall of Fame though their actions towards me would qualify for anything but. Perhaps they hadn’t had breakfast that morning or something else was going on with their life. A person may be speeding and driving dangerously because they’re careless, or they could be on their way to the hospital with news that there isn’t much time.

Let me share with you three Santas who have cheered me on in their own way, whether they meant to or not.

A Personal Hall of Fame

I remember the first time a Santa Claus supported what I was doing video-wise. When I started making video tutorials they were on YouTube under the label “Secrets of Being Santa.” For a specific video showcasing belts and buckles, I didn’t have many examples to showcase. I had only around two belts and two buckles, that wasn’t enough to demonstrate a good portion of the type of buckles and belts (both can have different types and unique details) available for Santa Claus performers. My budget was very small; I didn’t even have money to ship back any examples should they be lent to me to begin with. I had about given up hope anyone would provide these needed examples when I got a brief and straightforward phone call asking what exactly I needed and how soon I needed it.

Not only did this Santa send a good number of belts, buckles, and bells, he paid for the return shipping. He has jumped on the phone many times to speak with me and lend advice and instruction that would benefit the new Santa. When he flew into Salt Lake City for his work, I was able to arrange my schedule to leave my own work early (as a college student) and drive the 4 hours south to have dinner with him and pick his brain.

At the time he was a false-bearded Santa, so to the casual observer we were just two guys having dinner. But I will never forget the moment at the end of our evening he demonstrated his Santa voice and actions. He had piercing grey-blue eyes that seemed to speak directly to my soul, and for a brief few seconds I was a child meeting Santa for the first time.

Last year I met another false-bearded Santa I had long since admired from afar. They have a background in theater, cherish the history of Santa Claus, and have taken a more hands-on approach when providing children with a place to visit with Santa. In high school I had hopes of studying theatre, I’ve always had a love of history, and I built a sleigh by hand to add to my early Santa visits. I saw in this Santa much of those abandoned dreams I once wanted to have (“abandoned” in the sense that I gave up studying theatre to become a filmmaker instead and I had no option but to dismantle and take my sleigh to the dump before moving to Texas).

He was even more genuine in person than I could have imagined. When he spoke, it was thoughtful and poignant. It was clear he believed what he said and had given the topic every consideration. When I chipped in, he listened patiently. I felt respected and seen, though this man had much more experience and qualifications than me.

Meeting anyone in person can be a strange experience. It can be uncomfortable. With online profiles people can look and act much different than they do on the web. One of the challenges I face is though many bearded men can remember my name, but I struggle to remember theirs. I imagine remembering the name of the smooth-faced guy with brown hair is easier than remembering the individual names of 300+ Santa’s.

There have been times I have introduced myself and been told, “I know who you are. We have…” and then they go off to tell me we’re friends on Facebook, have chatted at an event, or have communicated in another way previously. The fact of the matter is, even if I know you online it doesn’t guarantee I’ll know you in person.

That wasn’t the case with the last Santa I want to mention in this post. I have known this Santa online since the pandemic hit, and only last year met them in person. Through the chaos of life, this Santa has navigated what I consider a path of peace. We were introduced through our common interest in Santa, but now our conversations, telephone calls, and more revolve around the ultimate example to us all, Jesus Christ.

We’ve spent much time speaking of and rejoicing in Christ. Though we are of different religions, we have, as Charles Dickens penned: “set aside our differences and consider those things which make us all one.” Without bias or fear, we can express ourselves and share in worshiping together. This relationship has provided me with much spiritual encouragement.

These three Santas are not the only ones who have provided me encouragement as they’ve come trotting down the path to wave, clap, and say with a grin “you’ve got this!” I find myself jogging onward, up and down the path, having more hope of a better world and of a better life because they’ve gone before me. If they can do it, then so can I! They’ve encouraged and uplifted to one less experienced than themselves and so can I! And I wholeheartedly believe these three deserve their inductions into the Santa Claus Hall of Fame.

Whether it be pictures we post, comments online, or our interactions in person, let us be kinder to one another in our communication. Let us cease to find fault one with another. May we have the courage to stand for what is right, the honesty to tell the truth, and the kindness to uplift others who are racing beside us to the finish line. What do you think? Have you experienced any parts of the situation(s) I've described?

Yours as always,

Santa Stuart