Esbon

In Esbon, we believe in Santa Claus! Along with the children’s letters, I’ve included one of my most favorite articles, I do hope you will enjoy it and remember how magical this time of year is..how much we all need to embrace the heart and ideals of youth and work together to make glad the heart of childhood.

Dear Editor: I am 8 years old.

Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.

Papa says, “If you see it in THE SUN it’s so.”

Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

Virgina O’Hanlon.

115 West Ninety-fifth street

Virgina, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless would about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as centainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life in its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there was 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. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the stongest men that ever lived, could tearOnly faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and aboding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

That last part...it’s my absolute favorite. It doesn’t seem to have changed much as time has gone by, people still struggle to believe inwhat they can’t see with their own eyes.

This article was the published work of Francis Pharcellus Church, Sept. 21,1897.

Sam’s Place is open again.

Happy Birthday to Lisa Peroutek Harper Elkin, Stacey Edwards, Melva Harvey, Lyle Shipley, Jordon Wharry, Ann Colson, Doug Dietz and Sam Gillette.

Happy Anniversary to Mr. and Mrs. LaVon Ost, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Tucker, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Kriley.

Lastly, I’ve included a picture of Santa Claus. This is my own personal Father Christmas. He dedicated his life to his family, and the happiness of others. His suit was made with love and care by my mom, and he saw hundreds of children every year, as he walked along they would stop and stare...mouth agape and eyes wide with sparkling wonder. He never passed a child without a nod, a wave, or he’d put his finger over his lips and wink. The children would whisper and giggle, shaking their precious heads in this silent agreement, simply saying he IS real!

I love you, Dad. Thank you for teaching me to be humble and live my life with passion, faith and a purpose. We miss you and Mom every day. apart.