(Inspired by anddedicated to Mads Oehlerking and Kim Kreipe)“Hey, Max?““Yes, Ben?““Is it true that Santa doesn’t come to Bermuda?”Max laughed, “And who told you that?”“A boy at kindergarten: He said Santa is afraid of getting lost in the Bermuda triangle” replied Ben pointedly.This thought had never crossed Max’s mind, yet it was an interesting theory… which he had to very quickly find a way of disproving.“Ben, take a look around you. ” Ben took his time making sure to look all around. They were at Horseshoe Bay, a Horseshoe Bay without overwhelming crowds of tourists or locals. As a matter of fact, there were very few people on the beaches in general, with the recent chilly and slightly stormy weather. Standing on the highest point of the cliffs separating Horseshoe Bay Senior and Junior, Max and Ben stood looking at the vast blue which stretched out before them.“I don’t see anything”, said Ben growing slightly agitated.“Well, isn’t it obvious? How does Santa get around?”“His sleigh, duh!”“Hey, Ben, don’t lose your manners now, I’m trying to explain something to you.”Ben didn’t say anything but Max could see by his expression that he meant no disrespect, and he knew that Ben, although only five years old, thought very highly of him. Just that day when he had picked him up from Kindergarten he was met by a noise deafening yell of “Maaax!!!” followed by a leap and an embrace as tight as Ben could muster(,) with his, in comparison to Max, miniature arms. When asked by one of the children who Max is, a proud smile had crossed Ben face as he said, “That’s my best friend.”“Okay, and how does Santa dress?”“In a big red suit with a Santa hat.” stated Ben, proud to be able to present his knowledge.“Very good, and now if we combine everything it would seem quite impossible that Santa would come to such a warm place where there isn’t even snow for his reindeer.”Ben started to frown and so Max quickly continued. If Ben hit a low it was always difficult to bring him around again, and on occasion involved coaxing and bribing, generally with promises of candy. Ben never forgot a promise like that.“The thing is that Santa can do what seems impossible, he just tells the reindeer that our roofs are white, because it’s tropical snow covering them. ““And they believe that?” asked Ben astonished, mouth wide open.“Yep, and you know he’s got Rudolph to make sure he finds his way around the Bermuda triangle. And look right over there. What is it that you see now?”“Gibbs Hill lighthouse” Ben exclaimed. “Santa won’t get lost with those!”Max couldn’t help but to laugh, seeing the joy in Ben’s eyes. He thought to himself that there is nothing , really nothing, like a child who is truly happy. Happiness being a state of mind free from worries and the serious side of life. The only way to feel this sensation again for Max, who had recently been introduced to the serious side of life, was to spend time and partake in the life of little children.A few minutes passed with Max and Ben just smiling, looking at the beautiful scenery which remained green and alive even in the winter months. There was a silence in this paradise, not an awkward but a comfortable and warming silence.“I wanna go home, it’s cold.”“Alright”, said Max, taking off his jacket and putting it around Ben.“I don’t need it.” said Ben stubbornly, resisting against Max’s attempt.“Fine, c’mon, last one down’s a rotten egg!” Max shouted, racing ahead.“Hey!” Ben screamed not budging. Max slowly returned, walked up to Ben, knelt down and, just as he was about to ask what was wrong, Ben dashed off with a big grin on his face. Max immediately took chase, maneuvering through the rocky path with great skill. He would overtake Ben and then let himself be overtaken again only to be closely beaten at the bottom of the rocky cliff. Ben was again exuberant, having beaten his best friend and proven his athleticism.As the two walked towards where Max had parked his bike Ben’s victorious smile started to fade slowly, he started to frown and then tears began to trickle down his little cheeks. Max stopped, knelt down next to Ben and looked directly at him, wiped his tears away and asked, “Hey, little man, what’s the matter?”It took Max a little while to figure out what was bothering the “little man”. In the end it turned out that Ben had thought it pointless to send off his wish list to Santa as he had believed Santa wouldn’t come. Now it was too late, Christmas would come in two days and Ben knew that the Bermuda mail would never reach the North Pole in time. Luckily for him, Max had an idea that just maybe could work.Max and Ben were now back home at Ben’s place, a small but beautiful little house situated right next to John Smith’s Bay. There was always a good breeze in the air. The two boys sat on the patio fully engaged in their project to reach Santa. Cutting, gluing, tying and occasionally hammering away. After an hour or two the two could be seen admiring their work, both with satisfied smiles on their faces.That night the noise deafening hum of a kite could be heard, sailing in the windy John Smith skies. Fastened to the kite was a wish list, which Ben was convinced Santa’s mailman would collect, using the humming to locate the kite. Max made sure that, by the next morning, the list had been collected by Santa’s helpers, guaranteeing a happy Ben on the day prior to Christmas.It was Christmas eve, Max and Ben’s family both came to John Smith’s, after hearing a wonderful Christmas sermon at Peace Lutheran Church. The children, both young and old, had all helped to produce another heartwarming Christmas pageant leaving everyone in high spirits. Although it was dark now the stars shone with incandescent beauty onto the beach. Lanterns burned, plenty of food was provided, someone was playing a guitar and everyone was gathered around a small fire. After a few songs Max and Ben went for walkabout down the shore. They strolled over to one of the elevated lifeguard chairs and just sat atop in peace. Max could sense the excitement building up in little Ben.“Ben, do you see the big dipper over there?” asked Max pointing at the night sky.“What’s that?” Ben asked, a curiosity in his voice, the way it was only possible for someone with the creative mind of a child.“It’s a star formation”, Max explained, showing him the stars, “It looks more like a frying pan really.”“Hmmm” Ben thought aloud, “then let’s just call it the big frying pan.”Max laughed and Ben joined in. They were both little kids now, happy and free as could be, just enjoying the life they were given.Ben still laughing said, “I think Santa is making my wish come true.”“Really? What did you wish for?Ben looked right into Max’s dark brown eyes, and with a serious face replied, “I wished that you would always be my best friend.”Max felt a tear begin to trickle down his cheek and quickly wiped it away, “Ben I think you have no reason to worry, I’m not going anywhere and I think you’re the greatest guy I know.”They both just smiled now but Max couldn’t help but to inquire whether that had been his only wish. At this Ben had only laughed and said, “No way, I want toys as well. What kind of kid do you think I am?” Nonetheless, Max was touched by Ben’s strong feelings and had meant everything he had said. The two buddies enjoyed the rest of their night at the beach, joining back in with the families to celebrate Christmas. Everyone had a splendid Christmas morning, finding their wishes had either been heard or didn’t matter as long as everyone was safe, together and happy.Max and Ben still spent many Christmases together and always stayed close friends, each being the others role models for the qualities and individual spirits they had. They made a great team and Christmas is always a good time to remember this, and to show others how important they are to you.Happy Christmas!