What do you want for Christmas this year?
All parents start asking that well before Thanksgiving. Most kids immediately have something in mind. Mine? Not so decisive.
Ummmmm, I don't know, Mom.
Well, you have to have SOMETHING you want!
I can't think of anything.
Okay, let's see....how about a new book?
Okay.
Barbie doll?
Yeah.
Ummm.....do you want some new doll clothes? Or a movie?
Sure.
My little sweetheart! I just want to buy her everything under the sun!
So, this year we watched "Yes, Virginia" when it came on the local station. I was a little nervous about what my child would think about other kids not believing in Santa Claus. See, my husband and I had different views about whether we would actually promote the Jolly Ol' Guy. I don't remember ever believing in Santa Claus, so it wasn't ever a big deal to me. Johnny, on the other hand, vividly remembers (everything) believing in Santa Claus and waking up on Christmas morning to find that one, big, unwrapped gift from HIM. And long ago he said we absolutely will play that game with our kid(s).
And we do. Each Christmas Eve, Angelyn puts out milk and cookies, and after she goes to sleep, Santa Claus devours them and leaves her a present. And sometimes Angelyn leaves Santa a note, and Santa writes one back!
So, how would she react to finding out that not everyone believes in Santa? Well, apparently, she already knew that some kids think there is no Santa Claus and Tooth Fairy, because they had this conversation at school. Someone informed Angelyn that they are not real. And Angelyn adamantly argued that yes, they are real, just like God is real even though you can't see Him, either. Because her mommy talks to them on the phone, and they send her letters and presents, so that's proof, right?
I do believe that by the end of the conversation she had the other kids doubting their doubts about the truth behind Santa and the Tooth Fairy!
I've always told her she'd make a great lawyer one day. My boss agrees, although he's not sure she'll be out of law school before he's ready to retire, so he probably won't be leaving his practice to her.
Angelyn's Letter to Santa 2011:
Dear Santa,
May I have a toy? I trid to be good. I'll leave some cookies out for you. I love you! Have a safe trip.
Love,
Angelyn Gayle Coffey
My Letter to Santa 2011:
Dear Santa,
My Baby Girl is the sweetest little girl EVER!
All I want for Christmas is many more years of her hugs and letters and goodness.
Love,
Angelyn's Mommy
