Santa Isn’t Real — Or IS He?

Photo by Aurelio Arantes on Unsplash

“Santa isn’t real, is he?” I was ten. I felt very grown-up, very in-the-know, now.

“Are you sure?” asked my parents.

“Yes,” I said. “I’m sure.” I was worldly wise and unafraid. I understood that the jolly fat man and his eight tiny reindeer were an idea, and ideas are solid things. Other Christmas traditions would not vanish like the steam rising from my hot chocolate.