Chance gets to tell his joke...

For several years now, our family has boarded a train headed for the North Pole each December. It is a magical journey filled with cookies from Mrs. Clause, hot chocolate, elves telling jokes and a visit from Santa.

As part of the ride, the elves lead the train in Christmas Carols and let the kids come up to tell jokes. Each year, Chance has watched his brother go up to the microphone and tell a joke. And each year, Chance has longed to be able to tell a joke of his own, but he did not have the language skills to understand and tell a joke.

This year, that all changed! We practiced a joke with Chance so that when the moment came, he could share his joke.

At first, it looked like time would run out before Chance got his turn to tell a joke. His face was earnest as he told us that he had to tell his joke. We were worried that he would leave the train disappointed yet again, when the elves called for any kids up who had a joke to share.
Chance stepped right up to the microphone with out any hesitation and shared his joke which went something like this:
"What is a moose's favorite Christmas plant? Moostletoe!"

Chance was clear and you could understand just what he said. It was great.

Chance beamed as he stepped down back to his seat and so did we. It was so fun to see him be able to participate the way he had always wanted to with his brother. And any other child on the train for that matter.

Adding an extra touching element to the night was Chance turning to me and asking "Can I show Santa that I have implants?"

I told him that he could indeed show Santa that he had implants.

When Santa stopped by our seats to greet the children, Chance leaned in and said, "Santa, I have two implants."

Chance was wearing a santa hat that hid his implants. I slid the hat back so that Santa could see them.

Santa looked at them a second and then said, "That is really neat." Santa then handed him a bell from his sleigh.

Chance broke out in a huge smile.

He was able to share with Santa his implants and what he wanted for Christmas. Two very important things to be able to do when you are 7.