Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

Editorial Page, New York Sun, 1897

We take pleasure in answering thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:

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

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Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except what 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 external 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 you 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 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, 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 lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!
XOXOXOXO

Merry Christmas to MEEEEE!!!!

I have THE most wonderful husband in the world! So, I have been wanting a Yorkie, since probably when we first were married almost 9 years ago. Well, being the awesome person that he is, he has been secretly collaborating with a breeder (while he is in the Middle East, no less) about a litter she had. Well, being half way around the world proved to be a little difficult for him, and I am pretty good about picking up on clues.... I "accidentally" figured out what he was getting me this year, and I got to go pick him up today!!! Talk about surprised!!! LOOK AT THIS ADORABLE BABY BOY!!!



Isn't he ADORABLE??? He's so snuggly right now too. Very sweet. Insert problem....I had always pictured us getting a girl and had a really good name picked out. NEVER thought about a BOY name!! So, I am asking my wonderful friends and family to help me (and my children) decide on a name for this little guy. Here are are the few that we have come up with! Please choose the one you think fits this little face!!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT VOTED!! ROMO IS HIS NAME!!

Where's the "pause" on this kid?

He's growing up at warp speed and it's awesome and SO sad at the same time. Less than 2 months ago, he couldn't even reach the pedals on the tricycle....and now, look at him, figuring it out!! Such a big boy!!

Smile

If this doesn't make you smile.....you're a ROCK!!



Isn't he just the CUTEST little man in the WHOLE WORLD??? :)