He's Not My Santa

Yesterday I was out shopping for Christmas, yes, I know, thanksgiving isn't even here yet.  I was feeling quite christmasy even listening to nothing but christmas songs on KOST 103.5.  Then I heard the song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town".  I started singing along and then I started thinking about my dad.  When I was little, I felt like the luckiest little girl in the world.  While many kids were out at the malls sitting on Santa's lap and telling them what they wanted to find under their tree on christmas morning, I lived with Santa Claus, he was my daddy!
Ok, for those of you who haven't known me since way back when, my dad played Santa Claus.  He had a very elegant looking santa suit that was so nice.  He had a really real looking white beard and hair that had just the right amount of curls.  He had black shoe covers that converted his nice black dress shoes to instant santa boots. And even though my dad was mexican and as brown as can be, he did his makeup so well that he was always thought to be the real thing and caucasian. 
I remember being in the backseat of our car while my mom drove santa claus to his gigs.  He was paid well to show up for twenty to thirty minutes at christmas parties all over the Inland Empire from what I remember.  Me and my mom would it outside in the car and wait patiently.  He was the best traveling Santa around.  I remember sitting there watching him get ready and thinking how lucky I was.  When we would take him to his gigs people would see him in the car and wave.  Little kids would scream out the window what they wanted.  I remember a little mexican boy yelling out he wanted CHIPS.  No, not potato chips, but those were the days of Poncharello and those Highway Patrol episodes we all watched. 
Those are some good memories.When I was in fourth grade we were putting on a christmas play and we needed a Santa Claus.  The boy who was going to play him didn't really want to play him and he didn't have red pants.  So what did I do?  I signed my daddy up and told my teacher Santa would be there.  Everyone was so happy.  I went home and told my dad about his scheduled appearance he was to make.  I remember him being a little annoyed that I did it but I knew he would not let me down.  Imagine everyone's surprise when Santa Claus showed up at my school.  It was magical and  I was not only the happiest but the luckiest girl again. 
As years went on he stopped being Santa Claus.  I don't even know what happened to the suit.  I was at the mall last night and Santa was there.  While he was a good Santa, he wasn't my Santa.  My Santa is up in Heaven playing Santa for all of our loved ones who have left us.  I already bought the little Santa Claus ornament that I buy every year to leave on his gravestone.  Yes, Santa Claus is coming to town, but he's not my Santa.  I miss you Dad!