Yes, My Dear Ones, there is a Santa!

My 8 year old step daughter told me the other day that her mom informed her that there was "no Santa Clause and that parents put the gifts for children under the tree."  I was sad when she told me this because, she is our youngest child, and I had hoped that she would hang onto the magic of Christmas for a few more years. Although, my step-daughter is correct that her dad and I are the ones who buys and wraps her gifts, she is very much mistaken that there is no Santa.  I was reminded today that Santa will be very much alive in our world this Christmas after two major tragedies in the last 2 weeks. 
Last Friday, I watched the news in shock and horror as the story of Sandy Creek elementary in Newtown, Connecticut unfolded.  Not once in my worst nightmare could I have imagined someone coming in off the streets and killing innocent 6 and 7 year old children. As I stayed glued to the news coverage all weekend, I heard people questioning how something like this could happen. There was so much focus on the horror and the tragedy of the event that we forgot to look at the love and support that our country and the world sent to this small town.
Early this morning, 3 apartment buildings were burned, and 7 of my families, 15 of my feeder elementary school's families, and 17 of my feeder high school's families all lost everything---most of them were still in their pjs when they learned they lost everything.  As the news of this tragedy spread throughout our community, countless numbers of people brought clothing, food, toiletries and money to our campuses for those that lost everything.  My own teachers were coming to the office and taking their own coats off their backs to donate to our families or going home to get blankets and food. Many people donated money so that these families could replace Christmas gifts---they were adament that our children would not wake up Christmas morning without a present.  My students at school were organizing and showing support in any way possible. As I witnessed the generosity of my community, I stopped to remember that although Santa may not be a "real person," his spirit and his magic exist in the giving and generous nature of all people. The spirit of Santa is alive and well as long as goodness and love exist in this world. As long as we continue to believe in Santa, then there will always be one.  I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and may the holiday spirit fill you with love and hope. I love my wonderful Deerpark community.