Virginia's Answer

I didn't write my blog on Tuesday because I was struggling on what to say.  I, like many of us, have had the tragedy of Newton, Connecticut on my mind.  I cried that day and have been contemplative on the whole subject ever since.  I decided that since there is such extensive reporting on the subject that I would blog about something else. 

 

Christmas is five days away.  Has it snuck up on anyone this year?  Okay, not just me?  I'm glad I'm not alone!  Although I am prepared with presents wrapped and sent, just knowing  that it is less than one week away is crazy to me!  Remember in my last post when I mentioned my Christmas traditions?  I forgot one, and it is one of my very favorites.  I read the old article, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" every single year, and  I also post the link on my Facebook page.  It is touching, lovely, and warms my heart.  I never post anything on our bulletin board at my work, but yesterday, I just couldn't help myself.  I printed it out and put it up.  Will anyone notice?  Who knows... but it is something that makes my heart smile whenever I think of it or read it.  I will share it with you now...

 

Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.

"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. "115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET." 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 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 strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only 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 abiding. 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.     My mom recently told me that when she reads this (she, too, reads it every year), she pays attention to something new each  time So do I (I am so my mothers daughter, aren't I?).  I look forward to each year when something new jumps off the page at me.  What part of this article jumps off the page at you?  This year, for me, it's when he talks about the baby's rattle, "...there is a veil covering the unseen world... only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside the 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."  I love how he capitalizes all the letters in her name in this part.  Can you remember when your parents or teachers said your name with emphasis?  I'm not talking about when you were in trouble and got yelled out.  I'm talking about when they really wanted you to retain what they were saying because it was that important.  I feel like that is exactly why he capitalized all the letters in her name.   I'll make one last reference to the tragedy that happened.  It's hard because I just don't know what to say.  When there is such sadness and sorrow, I feel like I want to spread some light and happiness when I can (and when appropriate).  Maybe that's why I felt inspired to post this letter to Virginia.  Here was a girl who was sad and discouraged, and one man responded and lifted her spirits (and millions of others for many years to come).  Let us all remember that our acts of kindness and compassion towards others can make a bigger imprint than we can even imagine.  Do you think this editor thought his words would be remembered into the year 2012 and beyond?  I doubt it.  His inspiriation to bless this child with hope and happiness has permeated generations.  What a wonderful legacy.   Happy Thursday to you and yours...