Wanamaker Light Show

The ultimate traditional Lockhart Christmas Trip was down to Philadelphia, to Wanamaker's, to see Santa & be awed by the annual Wanamaker Light Extravaganza.  Those were the glory days of family Christmas Trips.  

We would walk down to Bryn Athyn to get the train or hoof it all the way to Bethayres - Mom didn't drive.  (It was usually the much farther Bethayres, since there were way more trains no the West Trenton Local's schedule than on Newtown's.)  

The last Lockhart Christmas Trip to Wanamaker's (now Macy's) was in 1991.  Mom & I took John down to hear the magnificent Wanamaker Organ & be dazzled by the spectacular Light Display (still a store tradition). He'd never been!!  

We drove in, parking at The Bellevue, blocks away from the store, because it was December 8 and Center City was bustling.  

Or at least that was the story we told Mom. 

We nipped up to the hotel (which now takes up the top floors, not the entire building, as it did back when I was in college - another great story) for a reviving libation in the Library bar.  

Or at least that was the story we told Mom.  

As we sat in the big comfy chairs, I opened up my big handbag to get out something.  

Imagine my feigned "surprise" to " discover " that Sissy & elmo - two very small stuffed monkeys - had stowed away!!!  And, why look - as I drew they out from the bag, it appeared they were holding an even smaller wrapped package.  John took the teen package, looked at the teensy tag, and turned to Mom, saying, "It seems to be for you."

Mom thanked the two stuffies as - taken quite unawares - she carefully took off the ribbon & unwrapped the paper & opened the tiny box, lifting out a tiny rolled scroll of paper.

She carefully unwound it, to read, "Surprise!  We're staying here overnight!!"

What a delighted, amazed, thrilled face rewarded our careful planning & collusion with our willing accomplice, the doorman. And what a difference it made to the rest of the day, since we could take our time & be as leisurely as we liked - we were there overnight, not just from mid afternoon through evening!  

It was splendid & unforgettable - we have a picture featuring the backs of Sissy & elmo watching the extravaganza.  

We took a meander around City Hall - the interiors were all alight in one part of the building, where they were filming a courtroom scene from Philadelphia - before having a laughter-filled dinner at a no-longer-there restaurant. 

Turned out that our special weekend was also special to the service academies - it was the weekend of the Army-Navy Game, and The Bellevue served as the grand & glorious temporary billet for the top Navy brass & honored guests!  A bevvy of admirals & other dignitaries, all grinning & laughing, having a WONDERFUL time (Navy tromped Army).  

Could write on & on about what an incredible time we had at The Bellevue, how pampered & privileged we felt, but that's for another time, maybe even another year.  Smiling, remembering a perfectly planned, executed & savored holiday surprise!