The Year Santa Was Late

I couldn't go to Austria this year for Christmas.  So, the first week of December I packed up my presents and sent them off - delivery expected within 5 days.  Well guess what?  The box of SANTA presents just got there on Friday, January 7th.  The other box I sent was received AFTER Christmas.  I like to split up my boxes in case one is late, gets lost or held up in customs - but both boxes?  I was feeling badly that the boxes of presents didn't arrive by Christmas, but I found out -I did not need to worry.  My son had a very good Christmas despite the present delays!
*
His sweet little heart, he was full of happiness and excitement on Christmas day.  He had carefully set the Christmas table for dinner for 2 (he and DH) and was pleased to see all our traditional holiday dishes set out.  We always emphasize special meals for holidays.  He sent me a photo of the table.  
*
As far as presents, his aunt had given him a microscope that he was over the moon about and DH gave him a train car for his track.  And one of his friends had left a present for him.  DH had gotten a present from Christkind for him as well, plus Christkind gave him some clothes that I had sent ahead earlier as presents.  He asked me about my Christmas and wanted to make sure I was going to have a good meal and some presents.  And he was happy.  We never told him that presents were lost in the mail.  As far as he was concerned, he thought Christmas was over and was very happy with what he had received.
*
Eventually a box did arrive and the excitement of presents started all over again.  He was so surprised that I had sent presents, silly boy!  And happy to see that DH had some little gifts in there too.   Because he is like that - so concerned for everyone.  I don't really send anything expensive because sometimes packages do get lost.  But I did send 3 pairs of hand knit socks and if you knew how slowly I knit - you would be worried too!  I also sent 2 tins of Christmas cookies which were a big hit (yup, we love our holiday foods), decorative window clings, Christmas decorations and a few little toys, etc.  Everything has to be fairly small because of the cost of shipping.
*
And then finally on Friday that all important (missing) Santa box did arrive.  Yes, I put insurance on my packages, but that isn't the point.  Santa should be able to find a 7 year old on Christmas Eve.   My sisters all said that this would surely be the year that he would stop believing in Santa Claus.  You can imagine how awful this all made me feel, but my son is so happy and cheerful and it just never seemed to phase him that Santa never showed up - the news was full of the awful storms and airport delays and I guess he just figured Santa couldn't get through in that weather.  I don't know exactly what he thought because he never said.  But then yesterday when I talked with him on the phone (we Skype) he told me he was "exploding with joy!"  The box finally was there!  And so he thinks he is a lucky because he had THREE Christmases!  I guess that is one way of looking at it.  I am just happy that everything finally got there.  And I could just give my son a very big hug for having such a sweet spirit.  He doesn't know it, but he made a difficult time much easier on me.
*
In Austria the children do not have Santa Claus.  They have a Christ Angel named Christkind that comes in the early evening Christmas Eve into the decorated room (which has to be empty when Christkind comes).  No one knows what she looks like so it is not a very commercialized figure, but I thought this weather vane of an angel was very beautiful, so that is the photo for this post.