The question I have come to dread, “Is Santa Claus real?” This time it was posed by my nine year old son. Dread. Dread. Dread. Long pause.
“Why do you ask? Stalling technique. Answering a question with a question. I have been through this twice already with my two older girls. It’s never pleasant. The one part of me is anxious to be able to take ALL of the credit for the wonderful presents. And being able to shed the pretense is liberating when it comes to strategically wrapping presents in different paper, different signature. After all, it is important that Santa and mommy not have the same wrapping paper, or handwriting.
But that other part of me is sad to end that extra bit of magic that Santa adds to Christmas. I suspect that my son has listened to the well-reasoned arguments of his doubting Thomas classmates, who wildly denounce Santa’s existence with no regard to shattering the hearts of those who believe. I never want to be responsible. Maybe I took a cowards way out, but I told him that in life, we will find some people who believe differently than we do, and some people who sadly, don’t believe in anything. Sometimes we have to decide for ourselves what we believe in based on our own experiences.
He nodded and never said anything. Maybe he was just thoughtfully mulling over what I had said. He should have been thinking, “Santa’s been damned good to me- I think I’ll believe.” Or maybe he was contemplating who he should ask to get a real answer. I really don’t know. I just tried to act nonplussed. I always think of The Polar Express. The jingle bell. I want him to hear it. The wonderful thing is that Christmas has a magic and a majesty that exists far beyond Santa Claus.
I feel like that was a good answer on your part. I remember when I found out that Santa didn't exist thanks to my older brother. I was pretty devastated.
ReplyDeleteAh, the question of Santa! I will never forget the day I found out he was unreal. My older sister told me and I was devastated. Even as a 20 year old, I still like to believe that Santa was real. Santa Claus and the idea of him and his reindeer just make the Christmas spirit ten times better. I think what you told him was a good answer. It will be a rough day when he does find out. Stay Strong!
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