The Question . . .

Now that I am an adult I think I get more excited for Christmas than I did as a kid. Something about watching the look of surprise and wonder in my own kids eyes as they see everything that Santa brought for them. This year we almost had to face "the question" from Ayden. Ayden asked me if Santa was dead. I was caught off guard by his bluntness, especially because it was in front of the two kids.  I asked where he had heard that Santa was dead, he stated a friend at school. 
After a conversation about Santa and what he does for people in the world.  I tried to remember when it was I learned the truth about Santa.  I have to say I honestly have no idea.  Doug and I talked about what we would do when Ayden or any of the other kids confront us about Santa, we decided we had to be honest.  Santa is the wonderful spirit of Christmas that brings joy into many people lives. 

I have been talking to people who have faced this already and have been looking online for different ideas on how to handle it all.  I found this amazing sweet letter from a mom to her daughter about Santa on the mom's website.  The mom got busted playing tooth fairy and then her daughter started to question Santa as well.

Dear Lucy,

Thank you for your letter. You asked a very good question: “Are you Santa?”

I know you’ve wanted the answer to this question for a long time, and I’ve had to give it careful thought to know just what to say.

The answer is no. I am not Santa. There is no one Santa.

I am the person who fills your stockings with presents, though. I also choose and wrap the presents under the tree, the same way my mom did for me, and the same way her mom did for her. (And yes, Daddy helps, too.)

I imagine you will someday do this for your children, and I know you will love seeing them run down the stairs on Christmas morning. You will love seeing them sit under the tree, their small faces lit with Christmas lights.

This won’t make you Santa, though.

Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived. What he does is simple, but it is powerful. He teaches children how to have belief in something they can’t see or touch.

It’s a big job, and it’s an important one. Throughout your life, you will need this capacity to believe: in yourself, in your friends, in your talents and in your family. You’ll also need to believe in things you can’t measure or even hold in your hand. Here, I am talking about love, that great power that will light your life from the inside out, even during its darkest, coldest moments.

Santa is a teacher, and I have been his student, and now you know the secret of how he gets down all those chimneys on Christmas Eve: he has help from all the people whose hearts he’s filled with joy.

With full hearts, people like Daddy and me take our turns helping Santa do a job that would otherwise be impossible.

So, no. I am not Santa. Santa is love and magic and hope and happiness. I’m on his team, and now you are, too.

I love you and I always will.

Mama

I don't look forward to when my kids learn the truth, but only hope that they can feel of the love that Doug and I have for each one of them when they do.