Do You Believe?

Yesterday, out of the blue, Chance asked me if I believe in Santa. I knew it was coming; he'd been saying things over the last few weeks that led me to believe that his faith, if you will, is wavering. I know now that he's in first grade he's hearing more kids talking about Santa and whether or not he's real. So I wasn't surprised that he asked...I just didn't know exactly how I'd answer.

You see, I don't like lying to my kids. I may edit the truth now and then (I view it as a need-to-know thing...how much do they truly need to know in each case?) but I try not to lie to them. When we're at the doctor's office for shots and the nurse says "This won't hurt a bit." I look my kids in the eyes and tell them it will, but only for a few seconds and then it'll be done. Why lie?

Santa, however, is different.

I don't know, maybe I've read The Polar Express a few too many times but I think that believing in Santa is a magical gift we give our children. It's part of the charm of the season to me, the thought of someone who gives gifts just because he's nice. He rewards good (behavior) and discourages bad and teaches kids to "be good for goodness sake". Not bad lessons if you ask me.

So, there I was looking Chance dead in the eye and telling him "Yes, I believe". But, you know something? I didn't really lie to him. I'm Santa. Sean's Santa. We're all a little Santa every time we do something nice for someone else...just because.