As my husband worked at NORAD for several years I was able to volunteer to man the phone lines along with him and two of our daughters for a couple of years. This was two hours on Christmas Eve and the phones were ringing constantly and the spirit of the team (elves) was jovial and light-hearted. I smile now at the memory of all the children and not a few adults called in and asked where Santa was on his annual trip around the world. Thanks for bringing back great memories from almost twenty years ago now. 🤠
I love this! It proves a mistake isn't a mistake: it depends what you do with it. He could have been a grinch and had his superiors tell Sears off. Instead, a wonderful tradition was started. What other mistakes have turned into wonders? Rubber, Post It Notes... there is the grandma who mistexted a homeless kid for Tday dinner and has made a friend for life...what else?
Bill, Merry Christmas, and thank you for all the interesting bits you bring us.
Nothing chokes me up like watching the NORAD Santa Tracker with my grandkids each Christmas eve. Now I like it even more after reading its origin. Thanks and Merry Christmas!
It’s wonderful to hear the backstory of this amazing gift to kids. Our (now grown) children loved tracking Santa on NORAD. It was the only thing that got them to go to bed some years. I love it when compassion beats the rules.
As my husband worked at NORAD for several years I was able to volunteer to man the phone lines along with him and two of our daughters for a couple of years. This was two hours on Christmas Eve and the phones were ringing constantly and the spirit of the team (elves) was jovial and light-hearted. I smile now at the memory of all the children and not a few adults called in and asked where Santa was on his annual trip around the world. Thanks for bringing back great memories from almost twenty years ago now. 🤠
Aww, what an excellent story. Happenstance meets kindly Colonel and a tradition is born.
Perfect story for Christmas Eve Eve, thank you!
I love this! It proves a mistake isn't a mistake: it depends what you do with it. He could have been a grinch and had his superiors tell Sears off. Instead, a wonderful tradition was started. What other mistakes have turned into wonders? Rubber, Post It Notes... there is the grandma who mistexted a homeless kid for Tday dinner and has made a friend for life...what else?
Bill, Merry Christmas, and thank you for all the interesting bits you bring us.
Yes! Makes me wonder what “mistakes” or opportunities will show up and how any of us can create joy out of it. Perfect holiday message.
It does feel like a Christmas miracle, doesn't it?
Wishing everyone an amazing weekend, thank you!
Nothing chokes me up like watching the NORAD Santa Tracker with my grandkids each Christmas eve. Now I like it even more after reading its origin. Thanks and Merry Christmas!
When my kids were little they loved watching NORAD track Santa.
It’s wonderful to hear the backstory of this amazing gift to kids. Our (now grown) children loved tracking Santa on NORAD. It was the only thing that got them to go to bed some years. I love it when compassion beats the rules.