Last Updated on December 1, 2024
I’ve just finished writing my last letter from Santa to my granddaughter … her mom recently reported that at 13 Maddie has finally admitted she knows Santa isn’t real … and it breaks my heart.
I started writing these letters in 2016, when Maddie was just five … exactly the right age to be thrilled and excited by a letter from the Guy at the North Pole. We had several encounters with him over our first few years here at Charlestown … including a white-bearded gentleman wearing shorts and runners who, when excitedly asked by Maddie if he
was Santa, looked at me for a nod of approval and said, “What do you think?” “I think you are,” Maddie responded. “Good for you,” this wonderful man said, and gave her a Santa-Thumbs-Up.
One year we took her over to see the Arbutus Fire Department’s wonderful Christmas Village, and ran into the Jolly Gentleman in a room full of kids and parents who were busy creating gingerbread houses. He and Maddie sat on his throne and had a long private chat, much to her delight. And every year on Christmas Eve Santa showed up at her distaff grandparents’ home to read to Maddie and her numerous cousins.
Maddie clung to her belief in Santa through that 2nd grade phase when one classmate just has to spoil it for all the other kids, and she shunned several more debunkers along the way. And so, every year she got a letter from Santa … typed in brown script on the same cream-colored stationary decorated with snowflakes and snowmen.
These letters commented on Maddie’s achievements for the year, her successful Girl Scout cookie sales, and her trips and other activities with family and friends. They never promised a specific gift, but always referred to something she had put on her Christmas list and assured her that Santa had something nice for her in his sack. He always thanked her for her notes asking how he and Mrs. Santa were doing, and told her how much his reindeer enjoyed the green and red pepper strips she left for them.
Last year my Santa letter went astray in the postal system and never showed up at Maddie’s house (she always discovered them in the logs of the gas fireplace, because of course they flew down the chimney). And since Maddie expressed hurt feelings when she didn’t get her annual letter, this year’s explained that it had somehow slipped under Santa’s blotter, much to his chagrin. It also had a special “good-bye” sort of ending …
“You’re growing into a fine young woman, Maddie, and your whole family is very proud of you. I’m glad that you’ve believed in me for so long … and I will always believe in you. Have a wonderful Christmas, and a Happy and Healthy New Year. Your Old Friend, Santa”
Sigh.