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My name is not Elaine
When I was a kid life was simpler. We didn't have the Internet to answer all our questions, and there was no such thing as "reality TV" to claim to show you what life was really like when you grew up. It was easier to believe in magic then, but I don't think it's impossible now. Christmas is a great time to practice, so this week I'm going to remind you how much fun it can be :)
Do you feel better when you see Christmas spirit in action? You know, those stories posted on Facebook about people who pay it forward and help out someone less fortunate or even just a random stranger.... doesn't it warm your heart, just a little? It's a sad fact of life that these things happen much less often throughout the rest of the year but as Christmas draws near many people are inspired to perform those random acts of kindness. Perhaps they are not even random, but due to the power of the holiday season to infuse us with just a little more generosity of spirit.
In 1897, little Virginia wrote her letter to the New York Sun newspaper editor Francis Church asking about the veracity of Santa Claus. His famous reply reassured her and a whole generation of children and adults that magic does not have to be understood to be believed. It is still the most reprinted editorial in English newspaper history.
"Yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus. He exists as surely as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary the world would be if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence."
In the 1950's a local Sears ad for Christmas, that gave a number to call Santa in case kids couldn't see him at the store, mistakenly gave an incorrect phone number to dial. That number - off by just one digit - happened to be a top secret line at the Continental Air Defense Command (the predecessor to NORAD.) Colonel Harry Shoup was the officer on duty who answered the first call from a hopeful child looking to speak to the Man in Red. His heart softened at the voice on the other end wanting to speak to Santa directly and he put in motion the work to have airmen answer the phone and tell kids Santa's progress around the North Pole. In 1958 when CONAD became NORAD, Col. Shoup's organization kept up their work. Now kids around the world can connect through the internet to see Santa's ongoing progress.
I remember listening to the Christmas Eve reports on CBC radio when they would contact NORAD and get the latest news. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up to hear the officer tell of the blip on the radar that could only be Santa. We didn't have the "Elf on the Shelf" but as kids, my brother and I knew that Santa was watching to see if we were good or not. I still like to think he watches me, and I do my best to have a little extra spirit around Christmas. I don't have children but my childhood spirit can live on.
May the spirit of Christmas live on in your heart, too. It will be good for all of us :)
This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
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