A Sea of Santas

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Photos, Poetry

Last Saturday, we went to Union Square in San Francisco for some Christmas fun. What we didn’t expect to see is so many Santas! But it wasn’t random; SantaCon was in full force – a bar crawl in festive Christmas costumes. We also saw many elves and The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who! It was fun to see the sea of reds, whites, and greens. I was so tempted to ask a few ‘Santas’ if I could take a photo but chickened out. Watching children ice skate evoked wonderful memories of taking our son and daughter when they were little. Precious memories! After several hours of walking around the Square and lunch at The Cheesecake Factory in Macy’s on the eighth floor, we headed for The Embarcadero to take in the hustle and bustle in The Ferry Building. I couldn’t resist photos of the festivities in general, so here we go:

We had such a wonderful day to add to our holiday celebrations, then the trifecta of tragedies occurred over the course of the weekend. Our emotions were confused. They didn’t know whether to jump for joy from a great day in the city and for our safety, or to surrender to sorrow, feeling deep sadness for the loss, hate, and violence. Honestly, we felt a little of both. And our hearts ache for those who are grieving, especially during this time when the hope is for all to revel in joy. We help in ways that we can, and I hope you all do the same. Any gesture of kindness will make a difference. I wish I could take in all the people who are hurting, not to mention, all the animals that are suffering. I wish I could. And I wish love would prevail over hate…all hope can’t be lost, but it sure flounders at times…

On a lighter note, I pulled a couple poems from my post here to conclude:

This jingle jolly
season delights young hearts as
they bake cookies for
the white-bearded man in red
joy through the eyes of children

‘Tis the season to
be with family and friends
bringing joy to hearts
for their company is the
best gift of all to receive

❤️

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for stopping by. I have a couple more posts before ‘breaking for the holidays’ with my last on the 23rd.
I wish you happiness, love, good health, and safety.
From my heart to yours, Lauren ❤️

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© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
Author and poet, Lauren Scott, enjoys small-town living in the Bay Area with her husband, Matt, of thirty-seven years. Their adult son and daughter live out of state, and with frequent visits and technology, the family of four remains close. Lauren has published four poetry collections, a memoir, and her first children’s book. Her latest poetry collection is a tribute to her family’s Chocolate Labrador who crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in spring 2025. Lauren is a recent Pushcart Nominee and has been a guest on several podcasts. Her writing is featured on Spillwords Press where she was voted Author of the Month and garnered Publication of the Month awards. She is a contributing author in several anthologies, and her work is also shared on Gobblers and Masticadores. Her muse discovers inspiration from her family, spending time outdoors, reveling in simple things, and marveling at the mysteries of life.

101 thoughts on “A Sea of Santas”

    1. Thanks so much, Jacqui! I’m glad! I know, the SantaCon was hilarious and to be whirling in the midst of that festive sea was fun! I had to add the events of the weekend, along with the happy side, like you said. I’m sure our emotions aren’t the only that are confused. ❤️

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  4. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in Union Square, Lauren, but I always enjoyed walking around enjoying the stores and characters. (My first trips there were in the 60s.) And a Santa pub crawl. I seriously doubt that their objective was milk and cookies. 🙄 As for the seemingly endless list of tragedies, it’s important to do what we can (a single act of kindness goes a long way), but it’s also important to find joy where we can. I’m reminded of the faux latin phrase “Illegitimi non carborundum.” Your poems are an example!

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  5. What fun! A sea of Santas… I haven’t had cheesecake at Macy’s in a-g-e-s #yum. Your poetry is heartwarming, and smile inciting. I must say, what made my day the most was a tray of frosted cut out cookies The best consistent memory of my childhood Christmases! God Bless you and those who mean the most to you ❤

    Reply

    1. It was fun, Annette, and we haven’t been to The Cheesecake Factory in a long time, so it was a treat! Thanks so much for your wonderful words, and I loved reading this: “The best consistent memory of my childhood Christmases.” I’m happy when my writing evokes special memories. Thanks for the blessings, and I wish you the same! ❤️

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  6. I’m sure San Francisco would be a great place to be during the Christmas season, especially with a sea of Santas everywhere. I remember the one and only time I was there, I loved Union Square, although it was not Christmastime. Your poem is perfect. Have a fabulous Christmas with your family. xo

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    1. It was a fun place to be for the holidays, and our timing was perfect with SantaCon, even if it was unplanned. 🙂 I’m glad you’ve visited the square before. Thanks for your wonderful words about my poem, and wishing you the same, Darlene! ❤️

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    1. It’s so close that we have to until we move, Cindy! We prefer the open roads to the city, but sometimes, the city pulls us in too. Guttural and heartwrenching is so true. Beyond tragic! Hugs and love to you too, my friend. ❤️

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  10. A lovely and meaningful post, Lauren. I’ll bet the Santas would have been okay being photographed, but I get it, it has to feel right to ask/do. Sounds like a lovely day out and about. The Bay area is on my bucket list as I have a nephew and his family living nearby, and of course my Thursday blog partner Jerry lives in the area, too!

    You’re right, it is so saddening to hear of the recent tragedies, and we all send loving concern to those affected by the violence and loss. I wish you and yours peace in the coming holiday season and through the new year.

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    1. Thanks so much, Steve. Maybe they would have, but you never know. So I took the group shots instead! I know Jerry lives in the Bay area. It would be great if you could visit your family. And if it worked out, maybe my husband and I could meet you and your wife for coffee! 🙂 Thanks for joining in my sentiments too. For those of us who aren’t directly affected, it’s horrific enough, so the grief is unimaginable. I wish you and yours all the same!

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      1. That would be fun to meet up “IRL,” Lauren! It was great to be able to take a road trip and do that with a bunch of people in Colorado who we met in online workshops that were held during Covid.

        I echo your thoughts about those directly affected by all the tragedies.

      3. It was a truly fun experience… plus the gorgeous landscapes that I’d been introduced to 11 years earlier. 🌎 🪐

        I hope you have a great weekend, too, Lauren! It’ll be more snow clearing here. 🌨️

  11. Thank you for sharing photos of your San Francisco trip. My immediate thought on seeing the sea of Santas was “I wouldn’t want to be the one to explain all those Santas in the same place at the same time to a three-year-old!”

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    1. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos, Liz, and your comment made me laugh out loud! I mean, there were children all around, especially ice skating, so I wonder if their parents were inundated with difficult Santa questions. 🥰

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  12. Back in the 1970’s I was on an auditing inspection trip to Bangladesh and being driven to a ferry across the Ganges to proceed to a destination on the other side. while we waited for the ferry to dock I found it interesting to look around at people going about their business as usual. Then a most surprising sight. A fellow in a Santa suit came out of a mud hut and it was obvious he was just wearing it as his outfit for the day and had no knowledge of Christmas in this Moslem nation. I’ve seen many amazing things in my trips around the world but that scene stands out in my mind as one of the most unusual. Where he’d get such an outfit in a place where Christianity barely exists I would never know.

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      1. I have quite a number of short stories written on WordPress when I commenced with this site Lauren. Writing is a hobby for me so publishing a book would be too much drama for me at this age.

  13. what a jolly and festive place to be, and you are right, it is hard to feel the joy, when it is contrasted by so much pain and sorrow. I find that we must feel both sides of life fully, and wish for more peace and compassion and less violence and pain in the world.

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    1. Thanks for your wonderful comment, Beth, and I love this line of yours, “I find that we must feel both sides of life fully.” I feel the same, which is why I had to acknowledge and include the tragedies of this past weekend. ❤️

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    1. “Walk the balance between joy and tragedy so well” Thanks so much, Wynne. I tried very hard not to sound trite because that would be far from my intention. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos, and Merry Christmas to you and your family! ❤️

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  18. Lauren!

    I adore these festive pics. I also love seeing images from other places that are taken during personal experiences.

    It’s been a looong time since I was in San Francisco, and I loved it there.

    I’ve been a bit awol, as my computer died. It happened over the span of a week, where I spent more time tinkering around with the darn thing, than being on line. Then it died. Now I have a new Mac Air.

    Sigh, I also have 400 emails to sort through. (I don’t email on my phone)My love is still ill, getting tests. So, I may be a bit sluggish blogging. LOL. Then again I’m not the most organized to begin with.

    Sending best wishes now, and will visit again before you you holiday.

    🌟🕊🎄🕊🌹❦

    Reply

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed this post, Resa, but I’m so sorry to hear that your hubby is still sick. Please know that I’m thinking positive thoughts for him. Don’t worry about blogland, even though I miss you. Your other half needs you.

      Too bad about the computer also; I know what that feels like. I have a MacBook Air and I love it. And 400 emails would make my head spin. I did email you twice and didn’t hear back, so I was wondering if you were okay.

      Anyway, take good care of both of you, and if I don’t see you before Christmas, I hope he feels better and you both can enjoy the magic. Sending hugs and lots of love! ❤️⭐️💫

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      1. Lauren, I’m slugging through the emails, and haven’t found yours yet. The good thing is that in looking for them, I checked my Spam which was filled with emails that are not Spam.

        Now that my computer issue is cleared up, will be able to be around more. LOL, no computer, no blogging.

        I’ll be by again before you take off for the holidays.
        Are the kids coming?
        Lots of love and hugs to you!
        🕊✨🎄xo

      2. I’m glad the issue is resolved, and like you said, it’s simple: no computer, no blogging.

        Maybe my emails landed in spam too. Anyway, just know that I’m thinking of you both and hoping for a speedy recovery.

        Yes to the kids, so we’ve been busy doing all things Christmas, along with cleaning, etc.

        I have two more posts: one for my last batch of reviews and the other on Tuesday. It’ll be a reblog of LatinoUSA that is featuring my Christmas poem.

        Then holiday break until January sometime.

        So I’ll see you again before the holidays. 🎄🎅🏻🎄

        Sending healing hugs for Norm, and hugs to you! ❤️❤️❤️

  22. Love the idea of many Santas in one place and Cindy Lou Who (I love her!). It’s nice to enjoy some of these moments around this time of the year. We need the lights and the fun. Even if it does not erase darkness and pain.

    Thank you Lauren for the sweet poem too. Happy Friday and let’s chat next week before the break.

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  24. Thanks for sharing such festive pictures of your day in SF. Looked like it was a lot of fun and so was your uplifting poem. Much needed in contrast to the pain and tragedy that followed during the weekend. Wishing you a weekend filled with joy! 🎄

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  26. I used to love celebrating Christmas when we lived in the SF Bay Area! There was always so much to do! I remember going to a Dickens Festival years ago that was so much fun! And my daughter and I had “Breakfast with Santa” at Neiman-Marcus when she was quite small. There was a street in Palo Alto that went all out on Christmas decorations every year. And, of course, that was the era when Toys “R” Us dominated the toy market. We practically lived there. Here, we have the usual parades and boat regattas, but no great shopping experiences. I’m so happy for you that you had a great time!

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    1. Thanks for sharing your wonderful memories, Dawn, and Toys “R” Us takes me back to when our kids were little. So much has changed. Sigh. Have fun participating in your festivities and I’m glad you enjoyed the photos! 🎅🏻

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  27. Were you scared to sit on Santa’s lap? He might have given you one of Mrs. Clauses delicious cookies after taking the picture. 😁The poem is beautiful and I wish you and yours a loving, peaceful Christmas.

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  28. Lauren, it’s a lovely feeling to see the positive side of goings on during the holidays. Hopefully, the good outshines the bad. Merry Christmas to you and yours, and enjoy your break. 🎄✨🎅

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  33. Such a lovely holiday post, Lauren… so true, it is a time we are reminded of it all, coexisting, and a time to try to realize how we can balance all of the contradictions, both within ourselves and all around. 💖 San Francisco must be wonderful at this time of year! Wishing you wonderful December days!

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    1. Thanks for your thoughtful words Nicole. These days we definitely need to find a balance between joy and the sorrow. I’m so glad you enjoyed this post. By the way, your review for Cora’s Quest is on Amazon so thanks again. I really appreciate it. Hope you have a lovely weekend. ❤️🎅🏻❤️

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  35. You captured the beauty and fun of this wonderful season perfectly, Lauren. And also the broken parts of our world. In love and care for all of us, all creatures, and our beloved endangered Earth. ❤️🎄❤️

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