Merry Christmas!

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?

Virginia O’Hanlon

Virginia, 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 world 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 certainly 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 would be the world 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. 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 you 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 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 strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, 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 abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

--By Francis P. Church, first published in The New York Sun in 1897. 


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Limits

Make sure that you always remember dreams and opportunities are endless.  No limit exists to your success and happiness.  That is as long as you make yourself limited.  You don't need to be everything.  Just you.

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I'll Be Home for Christmas

After work sharp I'll be catching a flight home to St. Louis to celebrate Christmas for a whole week and 60 hours!  Looking forward to my cousin John's annual bash Saturday evening, and then what could be a rough morning Sunday tailgating before my first Rams game of the season.  While I'll still be working thru the week, I'm excited to finally get my holiday shopping done and partake in some of my favorite traditions.  

'Tis the season to be merry and bright!

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***Don't forget, you only have until Monday to Feed & Follow!

A Thanks for My Wings

{Book available from Amazon}

Wearing It Smart

If you're living in a tundra this winter like I am you need to be prepared.  This doesn't mean you have to sacrifice fashion though.  True, it's not always easy to make the cold front hot.  If you're up for the challenge though you'll feel much better where ever you go.  Even if it's in the snow.

{Winter Gear found at: 1. J. Crew 2. Verdel 3. Moosejaw 4. Anthropologie 5. La Garconne 6. L.L. Bean}

The Final Touch

One of the best trimmings you can add to any gift is the topping.  Don't waste your time getting tangled in tape, or making one large knot out of ribbon.  A simple ornament creates a much more lasting impression, and saves you quite a few four-letter words.  Often times you can find inexpensive mini ones  sold individually or in boxed sets.  They're the perfect touch to any gift, and may stick around longer than what's under the wrapping!

***Don't forget to Feed & Follow!

{Ornaments Can Be Found At: 1. West Elm  2. Hallmark  3. All Things White  4. Ballard Designs 5. CB2}

In a Young Girl's Heart

Mag●ic: n; Any extraordinary or mystical influence, charm, power, etc.

The best magic tricks are the ones you can find everyday.  After all seeing is believing.  And believing, seeing.

{Image Credit: Skin Brain Bones}

Celebrate! Celebrate!

A weekend for celebrating!  Hope you're off to some jolly fun holiday parties this weekend!

{Image Credit:  The House That Lars Built}

Believe

{Image Credit:  My Mom & Santa circa 1960}

***Don't forget to Feed & Follow by December 20th!

Coming in Packages

The best part of Christmas is all the present-ing!  Not just giving gifts, but trimming everything just right. From gift wrapping to card sending, it's the little things that always add that extra Christmas joy. 

{Image Credits:  Twig & Thistle, Dottie Angel, & VerdeStudio}

***Don't forget to Feed & Follow from now until December 20th!

Cover Me

Who says it can't be done the second time around?  I've happened to notice that my playlists these days are featuring some jammin' covers.  Check out some of my favorites:

1.  The Bird and the Bee - Interpreting the Masters: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates

2.  Nellie McKay - Normal as Blueberry Pie: A Tribute to Doris Day

3.  Mayer Hawthorne - Paper Planes (originally performed by M.I.A.)

4.  Adele - To Make You Feel My Love (originally performed by Bob Dylan)

Twirl

Whenever something's just a little too high, don't forget you can jump.  If the outcome is a loss, remember the next match still needs a win.  Just because you ran into a wall doesn't mean it can't come down.  Most importantly, even when the music stops playing, know there's always a beat somewhere to keep on dancing.

"I'll give you the whole megillah in a one-word speech: Reach."--Frank Sinatra

{Image Credit: Bink & Boo}

Frolicing

A weekend of winter and weddings (how's that alliteration for you?).  Cannot wait for bridal trunk shows and browsing when my fab friend and bride-to-be, Julie, comes into town this weekend!  Of course there will be plenty of time for fun and pizazz too.  It is Chicago after all, and snow is on the way.

Warm wintery wishes (more alliteration to send you thru)!

{Image credit:  Nicole Hill}

Maybe They're Onto Something

{Image Credit: Kissssing}