funny memory

Dooce's Daily Photo reminded me of one time, a few years ago, when I was standing in line to pay my phone bill. It was some time in like, June, and there were several lines of people waiting to pay. In front of me was a mother with her little boy, about 3 or 4 years old. He was standing next to her, being very well-behaved and patient, checking everything out from his safe spot near mommy's legs. He looked over to an old man with long white hair, a bushy white beard and moustache wearing baggy jeans and an untucked button-up shirt standing in the line next to ours and the little boy's eyes got REALLY WIDE. You could just see his head fill with questions: "Santa?!?? what are..? why is...? how...? if it...? wha--HUH?!??"
Kid looked to mom for verification, but she was busy paying her bill. All the other adults were staaannndinnggg arrrounnnnd, like ya do, another boring day at the billpay place. Kid can't figure out what's wrong with all these people, I mean, fercryin'outloud, SANTA. IS STANDING. RIGHT. THERE!! Santa looks down, makes eye contact with the kid, and gives a slight nod and a mild "hey, hows it going" kind of smile. Kid still can't believe what's happening, just STARED, open-mouthed, at Santa in civilian clothes, as his mom walked him blythely out of the building.