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St. Paul, MN - A specially designated kid's table
at holiday dinners is not only a great convenience but can
be a real time saver as well, says Harry Farmington of nearby
Granger who has nearly a dozen nieces and nephews he only
sees during the holidays.
"I can't tell you how many times I've spent an evening
bogged down by figuring out who's who and where they've run
off to, Farmington said. "This way they're all within
eyesight and I can spend quality time with each and every
one of them."
Farmington, 38, not only helps set up the specially decorated
kids table, covered with plastic sheeting for spills and accidents,
but he sits there as well. "It's really nice to have
an adult nearby who they can talk to if they feel left out
or picked on by the other kids or just lonely. I listen to
them -- and they can tell me anything and I won't judge them
one little bit-- or tell their parents. It's our little secret."
Sarah Farmington-Revell is thrilled that her brother has
taken such an interest in her children and is so touched when
he brings them presents and candy, despite being unemployed
and living at the YMCA.
"Christmastime is wonderful because Harry always dresses
up as Santa, Revell said. It's not like in the department
store where you get three seconds on Santa's knee. Harry gives
each child a half hour or longer. And they have some kind
of secret Santa code that only Harry and the kids understand.
It's so cute!"
Eldest brother Peter Farmington agrees that his brother Harry
tries so hard to be a great uncle, recalling one Thanksgiving
when his teen son Andrew had a sudden panic attack just as
Harry got out of the taxicab.
"My son had some kind of seizure that came suddenly
without warning. Coincidentally, Harry was just walking in
the door when it occurred -- thank God he has all that first
aid training from all those summers he worked as a camp counselor.
He didn't hesitate to perform CPR on him."
Harry is just happy he has so much love in his life. Someday
he hopes to have his own kids but he would be satisfied if
he could just spend more time with his nieces and nephews
as well as the kids at the youth center where he volunteers.
"It's a warm feeling I get all over when it's just me
and the kids hiding under the tablecloth in our secret little
fort. Most adults wouldn't let kids play under the table during
dinnertime --but not me. I go down there with them and that's
why I'm their favorite uncle -- except Andrew, who for some
reason hates my guts--but he's a teenager now and you know
how they are."
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