At nine years old, the questions began:
“Did you put those footsteps on the stairs?”
“Are you the one moving Elf from the wreath to the chair?”
“My friend told me Santa isn’t real. Is that true, mama? What’s the deal?”
I wasn’t prepared for this to happen yet. I’m just not ready for the magic to end.
I thought we had more time. More time for the wonder that comes along with the season. To wait in anticipation for that home visitor who always freaked me out as a kid,
But who doesn’t seem to phase my own.
Will the holidays hold the same fascination? The same surprises? The same expectation? I’m just not ready for the magic to end.
As new parents, we couldn’t wait for the next milestone. Walking, talking, sleeping, eating real food. Always afraid time was moving too fast, but wondering if the next stage would be better than the last.
Creating magic is part of being a parent, right? What do we do when they know it’s really us? I’m just not ready for the magic to end.
He’s still at the age where he’s rationalizing. His parents couldn’t possibly becreating these holiday surprises…“There’s no way you could pay for all that. Santa is real…I know that for a fact.” But my friend told me it isn’t true…”
But no matter what we do, I know the questions will continue. As he gets older, it will be more difficult to pretend. And I know the magic will come to an end.
