Santa Claus, aka St. Nick, aka St. Nicholaus, aka the Jolly Old Elf, is about as well-known as characters come. He is more popular than most heads of states, more respected than many loyal friends, and more trusted than many parents. He is, afterall, the center of virtually every Christmas story told to children across the world.
Which brings up the ultimate question which eventually preys on the minds of every child and even adult who has heard countless stories of this more-than-famous individual: Is Santa Claus real or is he just a figment of someone's imagination that has been passed down from generation to generation?
The answer is a resounding YES. It is the same answer that Virgina received in the famous "Yes, Virgina, there is a Santa Claus" article. Santa Claus lives in the hearts and minds of every child in the world. You see, imagination is one of the most powerful and necessary tools needed to grow up. Without imagination, we cannot sail the oceans to places "Where the Wild Things Are," we cannot climb a mountain to have a snowball fight with our friends, we cannot join the circus and be a funny clown, and we cannot fly through the air on Christmas Eve with Santa on his sleigh. Imagination makes things real in our hearts and in our minds. Without it, we become ordinary. With it, and we become anything we want.
So, yes, Santa Claus is real in my mind and in my heart. His appearance is basically the same in every person's mind - a tad overweight, white hair and beard, a furry red suit from top to bottom and a look that only a favorite uncle or grandfather has for his special loved ones. His origin is not known. He has always existed and always will. While that is hard to explain, that is where imagination takes over. Imagination can answer a lot of questions that a normal finite mind cannot. You see, with imagination, there is no wrong answer. That is what makes imagination so special.
So we have this special individual who lives at the North Pole with a bunch of little people and delivers toys all over the world on one night.
Sounds hard to explain? Not really. Imagination explains it all.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Santa Claus, the real story
After watching the movie Julie and Julia on Saturday, I'm sure I am not the only one to get the urge to write a daily blog. Actually, I have been thinking about it for some time, but never really thought I would have enough to write about, until I began thinking about it after the movie.
For those who haven't seen the movie, it is about this young woman who needed purpose in her life. She came up with the idea to cook through Julia Child's cookbook in a year - more than 500 recipes, and write about her experiences. Her project took her places that she never imagined and she discovered the purpose in her life.
For several years, I have been wanting to write a book about Santa Claus, based on the stories told by my beloved Great-Uncle Ralph. Ralphie was a unique individuals. Born in 1905 in Jasper, Mo., he grew up in an era where you had to find your own entertainment. He taught me how to hunt, how to fish, how to garden, how to plant a tulip, but most of all, he was the grandfather I never had. My paternal grandfather died when I was 5 years old and my maternal grandfather lived in El Dorado, Ark., and I rarely got a chance to see him.
So my Great-Uncle Ralph became an integral part of my childhood. I remember spending many Friday nights at his and his sister's (whom we called Sister Bob) house in Joplin, then waking up early in the morning to go fishing. Those were some of the best days of my life.
An important part of my life with my uncle was hearing the stories of Santa Claus, the North Pole, the elves, the famous Milk Chocolate Mine, and of course, Santa's prize pet, the Lollypazink.
Through this blog, I will share stories of the Jolly Old Elf based upon my uncle's colorful imagination. Those stories hopefully will fill the pages of a book, but for now, I will share them with you on this blog.
I dedicate this blog to my two wonderful children - Jeremy and Emily - who heard these stories countless times while growing up; and my two future grandsons - Adian Ryan Ball and Noah Parker Ball - who are to be born in October.
For those who haven't seen the movie, it is about this young woman who needed purpose in her life. She came up with the idea to cook through Julia Child's cookbook in a year - more than 500 recipes, and write about her experiences. Her project took her places that she never imagined and she discovered the purpose in her life.
For several years, I have been wanting to write a book about Santa Claus, based on the stories told by my beloved Great-Uncle Ralph. Ralphie was a unique individuals. Born in 1905 in Jasper, Mo., he grew up in an era where you had to find your own entertainment. He taught me how to hunt, how to fish, how to garden, how to plant a tulip, but most of all, he was the grandfather I never had. My paternal grandfather died when I was 5 years old and my maternal grandfather lived in El Dorado, Ark., and I rarely got a chance to see him.
So my Great-Uncle Ralph became an integral part of my childhood. I remember spending many Friday nights at his and his sister's (whom we called Sister Bob) house in Joplin, then waking up early in the morning to go fishing. Those were some of the best days of my life.
An important part of my life with my uncle was hearing the stories of Santa Claus, the North Pole, the elves, the famous Milk Chocolate Mine, and of course, Santa's prize pet, the Lollypazink.
Through this blog, I will share stories of the Jolly Old Elf based upon my uncle's colorful imagination. Those stories hopefully will fill the pages of a book, but for now, I will share them with you on this blog.
I dedicate this blog to my two wonderful children - Jeremy and Emily - who heard these stories countless times while growing up; and my two future grandsons - Adian Ryan Ball and Noah Parker Ball - who are to be born in October.
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