I still believe! Not in the reality of an actual person being Santa Claus, but in the spirit of giving. When I was old enough to know better, I wrote my mother a letter asking her. We lived in a very small house,and I had two younger brothers. Everything that was said, was heard by everyone in that small house, and I did not want to take the chance and ruin it for them if Santa wasn’t real. She wrote me this beautiful letter that I still have. She was so eloquent in saying that Santa was real if you heart was full of love and the spirit of giving. She never answered me directly with a yes or no, but I knew exactly what she meant. Now when I say giving….I don’t mean looking high and low for the most expensive thing you can find to give someone. I mean GIVING of yourself and your talents to someone you love. The spirit of Santa should last all year, and not just at Christmas. Giving an expensive gift is not enough.
I have a daughter who has been homeschooled all of her life. I was sad when I realized she did not believe. She never told me, because I think she did not want to hurt me. She is my only child. She still goes through the rituals…leaving cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. She is 14 and knows the truth, but it is still a fun and tradition that we do at our house. Last year, she told me….“Mom, when I am old and have a family of my own, can we still come here and do all of this Christmasy stuff with you?” “I love that you make Christmas every year for us!”
I guess I never looked at it as lying to her. I am a big believer in making childhood a time of happiness and good memories. I was only trying to make her happy and loved, and to make Christmas special for her. I hope I have achieved that.
Christmas is not just about Santa and gifts for our family. We are Christians, and for that reason Christmas is very special for us.