I remember the day I grew up, I was 7 years old

[The Straight Story]

The Christmas before that we were in Byesville, Ohio. Christmas eve - we always went there that night, exchanged gifts, then went home to Columbus.

I was standing at the window in Grandma's house and dad asked me what I thought Santa might bring me. I said 'A dog'. Dad was not prepared for that answer. 'Well...what if he can't bring one from the north pole?'.

Santa always finds a way, and I was good this year. I believe.

Somehow that Christmas dad managed to find an old friend, who had puppies, and they were able to sneak it back to Columbus, 80 miles, without me ever knowing. I woke up, and there was my dog. I named her Angel.

The next Christmas I found out there was no Santa. I cried.

And looking back on that now I see that is where life changed.

There is no Santa to stop this war. There is no Santa to save the lives of Iraqi's or American troops. There is no magic guy on a sleigh delivering good will to all and peace on earth.

But then too, I realized there really was something to this whole Santa business. It is you and I.

The hopes and dreams of people are within our hands. So like elves we work year round to change the world for the better. We see that little child who has lost a parent, wishing for something good to come their way. And we go to work.

No Virginia, there is not A Santa Clause. There are millions of them.

And they work throughout the year to deliver peace on earth and good will to man.

They vote. They march. They write. They tell others. They don't let a day go by without trying in some small way to bring joy to the world.

So when you lay your head down tonight and wonder if Santa got your letter. Well, all us Santa's did. And we won't stop working on the gift we all want.

Peace on earth. An end to war. Feeding the hungry. Saving our good earth.

The bombs will stop someday my sweet child. Santa got your letter, and it is carried in his heart each day. Your tears will be wiped away, and someday maybe we can sit down to some cookies and milk and believe together in the magic behind the myth.

Love for each other.

[rubberducky]

1. Wonderful answer to "is there a Santa Claus"!!

I hope you don`t mind if I print this out to help me out with my grandson`s questioning of Santa. Thank You!

[catnhatnh]

2. You NAILED it, son....

...proud to K&R.....

[Clark2008]

3. Exactly... there most certainly are Santa Clauses and I still believe.

:hug:

[CrazyOrangeCat]

4. Recommended

[newscott]

5. I don't know anyone who actually remembers when they found out about Santa Claus

[The Straight Story]

7. I remember, cause my mom told me

At my neighbor's house. Cause I still believed and the other kids in school didn't. She didn't want them making fun of me anymore.

I ran home (two doors down) and cried.

[kimmerspixelated]

6. Excellent and beautiful.

[CJCRANE]

8. I never thought of it that way.

But it makes sense - we can all be Santa Claus.

[NanceGreggs]

9. You've written some GREAT stuff, TSS ...

... but this is, IMHO, your BEST!

:kick: & Rec'd!

[The Straight Story]

14. Thank you

Much appreciated!

[TahitiNut]

10. Byesville, Ohio? My father (and uncles) were born in Byesville, Ohio.

Small world. Smaller town. :hi:

[The Straight Story]

11. My grandfather was the mayor and police chief

He built the Byesville Park.

Clarence Hammond. A fine man indeed.

[TahitiNut]

12. My father's family left there just before the Depression and moved to Detroit.

My grandfather was a union organizer and coal-miner ... and (thus) was black-balled.

[The Straight Story]

13. Many in my family were miners as well

My brother knows a lot more of the family history than I though.

Small world indeed!