The 2008 Blankenhorn Christmas Letter

Dear Friends:

This was a
hard year for our family.

We lost both
of Jenni's parents, Bennie just after Christmas, Ruth in October.
Both were 88 but this was little consolation. Both lived their lives
as God wanted and were welcomed into Heaven. But we miss them.

We also lost
my close friend Russell Shaw, in February. Russell was 60. A heart
attack in his sleep. Just a year after he had found love, happiness,
and validation in his own life. A real tragedy, but that he found the
good in himself at the end was a blessing.

I don't want
to talk about all that just now. Instead, as we enter the season of
Hope that is every Christmas, I want to offer you a little something
I wrote back when Robin and John were small.

Enjoy.

Dear Robin:

I've given you this letter because
someone told you there is no Santa Claus. As you'll find throughout
your life, the truth is far greater and deeper than you imagined.

You took the first step toward truth by asking a question.
That's what separates people from animals. We ask questions, we seek
answers, and if we're not satisfied with the answers, we keep asking
more questions. This can be hard to do when the questions are very
deep and the answers don't come quickly.

When that happens it's easier to make up a story, accept it,
and pass it on to the next kid. Children do that all the time. So do
adults when they're being childish.

As with all worthwhile questions, getting to the heart of the
Santa question involves asking other smaller questions, starting with
these:

Q: Why do you think Santa gives you presents?
A: He does it
because he loves you.

Q: But why does he do it at
Christmas?
A: To remind you of the holiday and what it means.

Q:
So what is Christmas all about?
A: It's about giving.

Once upon a time, in the town where we live, there was a rich
man without children. He had everything he could want, but something
was missing. He found it in giving to the city he loved. When the
city needed a new park or an arts center, he would write a check to
pay for it. He had just one wish — that it be anonymous.

Of course only one man had the money to write that check. The
rich man became known as "Mr. Anonymous." Even after
everyone saw through his charade, "Mr. Anonymous" continued
to give anonymously.

He did it to encourage others to do the same.

Q: So was the rich man Santa Claus?
A: Yes, he was.

Every year at Christmas I try to read you a story by O. Henry
called "The Gift of the Magi." It's about a poor couple.
She sells her hair to buy him a watch chain. He sells his watch to
buy her hair combs. O. Henry compares these two people with the wise
men who, at Christ's birth, brought the first Christmas presents.

Q: So were these poor people Santa Claus?
A: Yes, they
were.

Santa Claus means love and giving. Santa gives to all, asking
for nothing but that you are good. And, really, there are no bad boys
and girls, just good ones who do bad things once in a while. All boys
and girls deserve presents.

Santa Claus comes once a year, reminding us of how we should be
to one another all year. Giving not in hopes of receiving but just to
make others happy. Spreading joy is the surest path to our own
happiness. Remember that as you grow up.

Q: So what happens on Christmas Eve? Is my friend right?
A:
In a way, yes. Your mom and I do buy you presents, wrap them, and
put them under the tree in Santa's name after you go to sleep. For
you, we play Santa Claus.

Q: So is there no Santa Claus?
A:
No, I just told you, we act as Santa for you and your brother. Your
neighbors' parents play Santa for them. But there are many poor
children whose parents can't afford toys. Yet somehow there are
presents under their trees, too. Strangers buy and wrap gifts for
these children. The strangers act as Santa for these poor children.

The truth is anyone and everyone can be Santa Claus. When you
give out of love — not out of hope of receiving but because you want
to make someone else happy — you make yourself happy, and you become
Santa Claus. In that moment, the greatest joy in the world is yours.

So now that you know the truth, you can be Santa Claus, too.
Not just at Christmas, but anytime, anywhere, for anyone.

I hope you'll be a good one.

Yours truly,

Santa Claus