Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

The sound of coloring filled the kitchen air. It was concentrated work. Santa was coming soon, and the kids had to be prepared. A list, a wish, a hope, and a dream.

My children, ages 7 and 9 1/2, believe in Santa Claus.

Macy's is partnering with Make-A-Wish foundation. For every letter to Santa they receive in their designated mailbox in Macy's stores nationwide, Macy's will donate to the Make-A-Wish foundation.

In preparing for this post, the folks at Macy's reminded me of the story Virginia O'Hanlon who wrote to New York Sun editor Francis P. Church in 1897 to ask if there truly was a Santa Claus. The story reminds me of the innocence my children still possess - the unjaded, unabashed joy of belief and wonder.

The most poignant part of the editor's kind response reads:

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus...The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see.

So it got me to thinking about all the things we believe in that we cannot see. Apart from the obvious (God), we also cannot see music, oxygen or happiness. We can only see the effects of these things. But they are as real as our favorite tune, the air we breathe, and the feeling on Christmas morning when our sleepy-eyed children awaken to the magic of love, generosity, and forgiveness.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. May he reside in your heart this day and always...