magic

A couple weeks ago, in the spirit of the season, we decided to download the movie Fred Claus. Simple enough. Until the eight year old wheels of logic started turning in my son's head, and the interrogation began. "But how does Santa get in here if we don't have a chimney?" "Does he know the code to the alarm?" "How does he fly through the night when it's daytime on the other side of the world?" (That one made my head hurt). But we dutifully lied through our teeth as the questions got to be more and more detailed. "YES! We mailed him the key to the front door, ALRIGHT?!!"

A few days passed, and I guess it had been eating my husband up. Because the next thing I know, he waltzes into the room to casually announce that he has single-handedly informed our children (the youngest is THREE) that Santa Claus is indeed NOT REAL.

Me: "Are you serious?"

Him: "Yep, I was sick of lying to them."

Me: "Well, why don't you just tell them about the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. And while you're at it, tell them how babies are made. For good measure, why don't you just pour them a drink?!"

But the damage had been done. Or so we thought. A few more days passed, when my oldest asks my husband, "If Santa's not real, then who always eats all those cookies after we go to bed?"

My husband could see in his eyes how much he desperately wanted Santa to be real. He said, "You know what...I never thought about that. But you're right...the cookies ARE always gone the next morning. Maybe he really IS real afterall!" All three children tuned in. And by the end of the conversation, Santa was alive and well again. And so was the possibility of magic. It made me realize that sometimes it's not important to have all the answers, because so much joy comes from just having the faith to believe.

What do you believe in this Christmas Eve?

Leave a comment, and one lucky winner will receive $100 to spend at Blurb!

Comments

[Jen Lemen]

oh, maile! i feel that pain!
we had a full-blown santa/toothfairy/easter bunny massacre last year (oh our wicked resident atheist!) and it about killed me.
this year, i'm mourning the loss of all the magic, and wishing i had stood half a chance in that argument.
but still. the days have been merry and even without santa, i still have hope sparkling in my heart.

thanks for making me laugh and cry all at the same time!

[Candace S]

We still believe! I am dreading the day the kids stop believing. You dodged a bullet there though; Lucky!

[Betsy]

Oh, what a delightful story! What a happy ending. :)

[laura - dolcepics]

What a cute story! Merry Christmas everyone!

[Melissa (Photomom86)]

I think believing is the most powerful magic! Glad to hear you dodged the Santa bullet! Great story.

[Chris]

You know, some mom's I know at my 8 yr. old son's school couldn't believe that my son still thinks there's a Santa and that I let him believe it. I was shocked! I want the magic to stay alive as long as it can, for both me and my son. Sigh....hopefully he won't catch on too soon. Thanks for sharing Maile. I think we have all had, or WILL have this come one day. Have a great holiday!

[Shawna]

Hmmm my hubby and I have been over this a few times lately, though we have another year before it really will start to matter. I believe there's so much magic in nature and the world in general that Santa doesn't need to be the big deal that we generally make him. I suppose we'll play it by ear, but I'm certain that we will have no problem making our own magic when the time comes, as your son has proven. Thanks for this beautiful christmas story :O)

[Shama-Lama Mama]

My kids are five, three and three, and I am LOVING the whole Santa thing! For years, Christmas has been kind of tedious and commercial, but now with children, its so much FUN again! I am glad Santa is back in your lives.

And you know, the answer to everything is, "He's Magic! That's how!" And for us, Santa has a magic key that opens any home.

Gosh, I could use that gift certificate to Blurb! I am putting together a wedding album and would love to make copies for the mothers-in-law too!

[Andie]

Mom to four, only the youngest (8) still believes. I'm pretty sure it's his last year too. It's just not the same when they stop.
Happy holidays shutter sisters!
a.

[Marcie]

Let them believe in the magic for as long as they can. They'll be skeptical teenagers and then adults for the rest of their lives. Enjoy the innocence!!!
I'd still like to believe..wouldn't you??

[april]

Last year my youngest (6 years old) still believed in Santa, and when he didn't receive something in his list, he said he was going to write to Santa again, making sure he got his massage. LOL!

[Lois Lane]

I believe, too! Thanks for sharing such a great story. It made me smile.

[Christina]

Oh Maile, I LOVE this story!

[jfrancis]

I have a feeling God will forgive
lying about Santa, etc.
Sleep well tonight.

[Teela]

What a sweet story for the holidays that they will remember for a long time

[Vanessa]

hurray for your very own born-again Santa! now that's what i call faith.

[kristen]

we give my daughter books from the tooth fairy and my little snoop found the books in my closet, prompting the "tell me the truth" conversation about the tooth fairy. a few weeks later, the same "tell me the truth, tell me the TRUTH" about santa came up and it hurt my heart to share.

afterwards, i promptly began instilling doubt about santa, because i couldn't take that the magic was gone. when she asked about the alarm on the house, i told her that santa knows the code - remember he knows everything and she agreed. the house alarm for whatever reason, sealed the deal and now, santa and all his glory are visiting tonight - this mama can breathe again.

[elizabeth]

i just found your site! what fun.

[Valerie]

Oh what a lovely story!! For all the parents that are worried about their "older" children believeing in Santa...my 15 yr old daughter still questions me...I love the idea of our fictional characters, it is magic, I believe and I think that is why my children will carry-on that magic to their children. I just love the build up of certain things that are pulled out during a holiday, ie Santas key to get in our home, it is hung every Christmas eve on the door handle outside, I can see my children smile when they pick it up. As though all the years of being a child have run through them. You know some how that key ends up on Santa's empty cookie plate every year. 2 of my children and I lived a very hard single mommy life...you have to make it magical, there wasn't much else to give. My husband and I now have a 2 yr old and I do believe it has helped my older two hang on longer....because they see THE MAGIC there is no harm in it.
PS I just found you today bounced off Ali's bog....great place...I have you saved in my fav's
Merry Christmas to you and yours,
Valerie

[holly]

I am a terrible liar as well and finally fessed up when pressed by my son...the beautiful thing is that it didn't change a thing for him! He seemed to relax a little more, and then dove right back in to all the holiday hoopla. Now he sits down right next to his sister with paper and pen in hand to write to Santa, and his eyes get just as big when he sees Santa at the mall. I have my cake and can eat it too!

[HSY]

Your story made me laugh and smile this cold morning! Thanks!

[Amber]

The story reminds me that "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy." Francis P. Church

[sandi]

I am glad they are back to believing. :)

[Irene]

Yes, we all believe. I feel a bit guilty when my 7 year old starts asking more and more detailed questions about Santa. And I know she will soon know the truth. But I don't think there is anything wrong with letting children have this truly magically time in their lives. I remember believing and I just naturally grew out of it. It really was no big deal. But the magic and the thrill when a little child does believe? Absolutely perfect and I wouldn't have it any other way. Unfortunately, Christmas may be a wonderful time of year, but it also brings out a lot of hate and anger in some very sad people.

[heather]

What a lovely story!

My son has doubts, but shows many signs of still wanting to believe, so we don't go overboard but we let him believe.

He believes in the tooth fairy without question, however. Kids are funny. :)

[Stephanie]

I can only imagine the end of Santa Claus. My 3 year old is just now grasping the idea of Santa. I can't wait till he starts writing letters and lays in bed trying to stay up for Santa.

[kayla]

haha. Great story. This Christmas eve I believe that if two people love each other enough they should be able to not let one little difference ruin their entire relationship. I believe there is hope. Thanks for the giveaway!!!

[whitney]

That is a sweet story. Good job for keeping the magic alive! What a special giveaway on Christmas Eve!

[kristin]

traditions. that is what i believe in. the comfort of what ever your family believes and celebrates, it is yours and will be the memories your children carry with them into their adult lives. here we do the silly christmas pickle. some say it is a german tradition but germans have no idea what you are talking about. LOL funny how and where traditions start even get muddled, but no worries.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/3130406605/

[vivienne]

oh my gosh...the resilience of children's belief in magic is incredible!
what a lovely story for this day!

wishing everyone a happy holiday!!!

[Sandra]

love this story. my 10 year olds are really questioning things this year...and I am a horrible liar, but enough so that they are still keeping the faith...well, a little anyway ;) My 5 & 3 yo, of course, still have the magic glistening in their eyes....I wish that innocent magic could last forever!

[MGF]

What a sweet story. My kids are 6, 4 and 1. i don't want any magic to be lost.

Merry Christmas.

[Sarah]

I've always taken the tact with my kids that Santa Claus, The Tooth Fairy, and all the other mythic characters they encounter are stories that some people choose to believe and some people don't. It's a tact that has satisfied and in some ways empowered them (they believe!) and one that hasn't required any lying from me. And so, one of the things I believe in this holiday eve is the power and the magic held within a good story.

[margsmom]

My 2 yo started singing happy birthday to the baby jesus last christmas and this year we were watching a xmas special and santa zooms across the screen with presents in his sleigh. She says with great amazement"look mom Santa has presents! (pause) for the baby jesus!!!" Oh to have the wonder of a small child!!!

[Kelly]

Magic. Possibility. Imagination. The best way for our children to discover truth. They don't box and categorize life the way we do yet. They still hold Wonder. I'm not taking that away from mine.

[nikkole!]

i believe Santa eats the cookie too!

[Kathleen O.]

My little guy climbed into bed with me the other morning and sang, in a garbled, wispy-high voice, "Christmas is not about presents...it's about joooyyyyy..." I believe in that. Hope everyone's celebration is warm and wonderful!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/3128680281/

[Diane]

Ha! I had to talk a friend down the other day when she called <i>very upset</I> that Daddy had asked their oldest boy, "You don't really still believe that do you?" Oh my. She went on to ask what we tell our kids and I said oh, you know, it's a good story and I said that I didn't think our older one believed Santa was real anymore but he was playing along for his sister's sake and she said, "No! No he's not! Because when I talked to our boy he told me that he and yours had discussed it and they concluded that they both were not quite sure Santa was or wasn't real! He still believes! I told mine NOT to tell yours and wreck it!" Oh my. I remember finding out the truth when I was about 8 and being totally crushed that my parents had lied to me. But they weren't real good at magic, anyway!

Now, $100 at Blurb! That would be magic!

[divrchk]

Glad you brought the magic back...

[Dina]

Beautiful picture of the snow. i love it!
So glad your story had a happy ending. Does your husband know he's on Santa's naughty list now? My nephew is 7 and is really asking questions about the magic of it all this year. Hope your Chsitmas is filled with joy and peace!

[pam]

Faith is the daring of the soul to go farther than it can see. Wiliam Newton Clarke.
The season is all about faith and what we cannot see apparent.
Its all a dare. Christmas is the one day we can feel it.

[krista]

oh man, that would have killed me. my dad told me when i was four....i'm still working on forgiving him for that one! ;) when our oldest questioned me 2 years ago at age 7, i just said "what do you think?" he struggled with believing that year, but he's totally back into it.....our youngest who is 5 is head over heals in love with santa....makes it so much fun. Merry Christmas!!

[Stephanie]

I have thought over and over again about telling them about Santa...but can't seem to do it yet. My oldest is asking tons of questions and hints that she knows. We believe in spending time together doing nothing and accepting people into our home who have no one to spend time with.

[spread your wings]

oh i'm so relieved Santa is alive and well again in your home . i hate to think of such young children not having the magic of Christmas.
It's fun to read all these comments today.

http://spreadingwings08.blogspot.com/

i've been wanting to create a Blurb book.

[Cindy]

Santa is the Spirit of Christmas and he is alive and well EVERYWHERE! Sometimes those that "are a Santa" just need a reminder or two. My 8 year old is still in the magic and when the time comes, we will explain it to him just that way. May His reihest blessings pour on every one of you.

[victoria winters]

I believe that all the illness that has plagued my family this past month is a fluke, not our fault, and that 2009 will be bright and healthy!!

[Bridge]

I believe in children.
Merry Christmas.

[Julie Marie]

OMG... I started to tear up reading that... the spirit of Christmas is so important.

[Stephanie Fox]

It is truly something amazing when children experience the magic of Christmas.

[dr lyn]

we believe! my girls are 5 1/2 and are in full-fledged love with Santa and his magic. it's amazing to watch, as they soak it all in. The more complicated moment this season came when I was packing up gift bags for the "wish tree" for the local children's home organized at their kindergarten. They weren't sure why I was giving them presents as surely Santa would find them too -- and they became very concerned that Santa wouldn't know where all these children were, since they weren't in a house like ours. I explained that I was sure he would but that I was just helping him out to make sure these special children had more than one thing to open on Christmas. For the moment, that seemed to satisfy.... :)