I remember very distinctly when one of my very good friends told me in third grade that a man that visited my house (by way of our chimney) once a year wasn’t real. She was very matter-of-fact about the situation and I? I.was.devastated.Â
For the record, I didn’t believe her then and I certainly don’t now (sorry, J-no, mad love!). I mean, why is it impossible to believe such a thing could happen? And, I have evidence. One Christmas Eve, my folks and I were driving to Pullman to visit my grandparents and I’m pretty sure I saw that same guy guiding what looked like a sleigh and eight tiny reindeer. People don’t just make this stuff up.
By the way, I’m not spouting for the sake of debate. Everyone has a right to believe in whatever jolly old fat guy they wish. This is America.
My point is that I’m so very thankful Connor doesn’t question it either. I’ve read several comments already this holiday season from other moms about talking to their kids (to kill their hopes and dreams) or about their kids questioning the ability of one man to fly all over the world in a single evening, so naturally I was worried this might become an issue.
Tonight, we were driving home and Connor shared with me where he stands on the matter.
C: Mom, there’s a kid at school who said Santa isn’t real.
Me: What?! What’s up with that?
C: Yeah, he told me and Tre and Nolan that Santa wasn’t real and that he also doesn’t believe in the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy. Well, he believes in the Tooth Fairy but not the other two.
Me: Hmm, that’s kinda weird. (Methinks he knows the money’s going to stop flowing if the Tooth Fairy goes away).
C: Me and Tre and Nolan believe, and we believe in Jack Frost, too. He’s the one that makes all the snow days!
Me: Well, yeah! That’s awesome, Connor. Thank goodness we saw ‘Rise of the Guardians’ … we all know what happens when the kids stop believing.
a brand new ending 
I walked by their table at lunch during that conversation. The little non-believer pulled me in to the conversation with a shouted, “ASK HER!”. He then asked me if I thought Santa was real. My very quick and fervent reply was “Absolutely, and I still get presents from him. I think it is because I still believe in him. As long as you believe, you get presents from Santa.” The others took over at that point and we moved on to the tooth fairy and the Easter Bunny. There were stories about how it doesn’t matter if you are not at home, they still find you and leave you gifts. As I left them to their lunches I wished I had a small silver bell that only the boys who still believed could have heard……..
aww! i love that you shared that mrs. howard! that is so sweet, and thank you for your very positive, always sincere contribution to our kids. 🙂
I was walking Ally (4!!!) past the older kids to her kindergarten area when this older kid said loudly “….doesn’t exist!”
I have never so much, in my life, wanted to punch a child in the face. Ever.
is it okay that i chuckled a bit? its not funny at all, but i loved your response. 🙂 innocence is such a beautiful thing.
I was 8 when it was…changed for me, and I just got so angry at the possibility that some little snot with a big mouth would go around %&*(*&^$#%*&!!!!!!!!! So, yes, it’s okay that you chuckled 😀