One night after a father and son heart to heart about wants, needs, and true happiness, the timing seemed right. Eli sat on my lap for a hug and I whispered in his ear.
Me: You know how I'm the Birthday Fairy?
Eli: What?
Me: You know how I'm the Birthday Fairy? Remember you helped me decorate when it was Alison's birthday?
Eli: Yeah. That was fun.
Me: Well, I'm also the Tooth Fairy.
Eli: *big eyes*
Me: It is so fun taking a tooth and putting money under your pillow.
Eli: *smile*
Me: I am also the Easter Bunny. Remember the basket we had this year on the boat? One of the best parts of being a mom or dad is making happy surprises for our kids.
Eli: That will be fun when I'm a dad.
Me: Also, me and Dad and sometimes Grandma or Grandpa are (dramatic pause) - Santa.
Eli: *processing - uncertainty - worry - acceptance*
Me: You know who I'm not? I'm not God. I'm not Jesus. I'm not the Holy Ghost. They are real and they love you and have power to bless your life. But I am Santa. You have to love somebody very much and know them very well to be Santa. Now that you know the holiday secret, you can help be Santa too. When we wrapped presents yesterday, you were being Santa.
Erik opened a package containing a wrapped gift from an unknown source.
Me: Would you like to write, "From Santa" on this package?
His initial concerns about his sisters recognizing his script were quickly set aside as he pulled out a blue sharpie. More hugs and he finally, finally went to bed. Erik was just getting into a joke from work that day when Eli magically appeared in the living room again. All those cozy feelings from before started cooling fast.
Me: What do you need?
Eli: You know how I believe in Santa?
Me: Oh, great. Present tense. Maybe that conversation didn't go as well as I thought it did.
Eli: That means, I believe in you!
More hugs. Can you believe this kid?! I love Christmas.
