A RUBBER DUCKY GOT ME DEMOTED FROM SANTA CLAUS TO GRANDPA….

Rev. Dr. N Patrick Marica
Feb 22, 2022
2 min read

Updated: Feb 23, 2022

I’ve been demoted. I was Santa, but now I’m merely Grandpa. Actually, Grandpa may be a better title, but I digress. “How did this happen, you might ask?”

Several months ago Weston, the most adorable 3 year old you would ever want to meet, came by for a visit with his grandmother, our good friend, Marie. Weston came over to my desk, where I was working, and inquired as to what I was doing. I told him, and I noticed he had spotted my yellow rubber ducky. I told him he could have the ducky, and I handed to him. His eyes got as big as silver dollars; he could barely contain himself. He ran to Marie…

“SANTA CLAUS GAVE ME THE RUBBER DUCKY!!!!!”

Thus, I had been promoted to Santa Claus! Now, I do bear a resemblance. Not nearly as rotund, but I do have the white hair and beard, so…

My wife remarked “I hope you don’t want it back. Cause there’s no way he going to give it up.” I reassured her that Weston’s new treasure was indeed his - “I signed over the title to the rubber ducky…” , I told her.

Fast forward to today…

I found out today that Weston was playing with his rubber ducky - the same one I gave him. He excitedly told his grandmother that “grandpa gave it me!!!” Marie responded, “I thought Santa gave it to you?” Weston insisted: “No, Grandpa gave it to me!” "Your grandpa!?", Marie asked. Weston explained: "The Grandpa at Kathy's house!" he exclaimed. I had been demoted!

Now, Kathy points out to me that Grandpa is a higher calling than Santa. She has a point. We don't have a grandchild of our own(yet...), so Weston thinking of me as his "grandpa" is a very nice sentiment, indeed. I like it. But being Santa has it's "privileges".

Marie just called...she wants to know when I'm picking up my "grandson" for the weekend...

I’ll get promoted back soon. I have another rubber ducky… and this one has "LIFEGUARD" printed on it!

Rev. Dr. N. Patrick Marica contributes incisive Christian commentary (well, most of the time!) on this blog on a regular basis. He is the Vice-Chancellor of Amherst Theological Seminary, and he has a D. Min. from Amherst Theological Seminary. He has his MA from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy. He is the author of the book: "The Walk Applied". He has also written "The Fasting and Prayer Handbook". He has been married to Kathy since 1985. They have 2 adult daughters and an adult son.