Are you Skeptical?

Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus


By Francis P. Church, first published in The New York Sun in 1897. [See The People’s Almanac, pp. 1358–9.]

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

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 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.

Breath my child, breath the air which if that of Christmas. Believe until your dying days that Santa Claus is not a fantasy. Never let your heart grow old lest you wish to become cold. First and foremost, learn of the true meaning of Christmas. And from this knowledge simplify your life around this glorious occassion. Rejoice in the laughter and innocence of your children and granchildren then once again you'll live your childhood dreams. Remember your childhood dreams and cherish them as you do your family.

As long as I remain a child at heart, I will never grow old.

A child's world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement. It is our misfortune that for most of us that clear-eyed vision, that true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring, is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood. ~Rachel Carson

A Date which will Live in Infamy

"Yesterday, December 7, 1941--a date which will live in infamy--the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense...I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan...a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory--" So help us God"
~President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dec. 8, 1941

Sixty-six years ago, our nation endured a devastating attack that claimed the lives of more than 2,400 Americans. Those stationed at Pearl Harbor rushed into action as gunfire and explosions shattered the Sunday morning calm of December 7, 1941. Putting duty before their own safety, many risked their lives – and many gave their lives – to defend their comrades and the free world.

You could never be repaid for your bravery and sacrifice to our nation. We forget, and lose sight of, how far we have come as a nation because of your service. My family and our children salute you and your service, and give you our most humble thank you!

Through My Eyes

As I sit and watch the sun set below the trees
As through the window comes a gentle breeze
I think of all my fears
And my eye weeps a single tear

I sit and watch the night take hold
My mind grows numb and cold
I’m not sure how many thoughts
But many a battle I have fought

Only a single thing through all of this
One thing I would truly miss
Someone like you by my side
My friend I trust to confide

My soul you see through my eyes
Never letting my mind drift to high
Always receiving that special hug
That lets me know I am still loved

For a fleeting moment I forget my fears
Wishing for the moment to last for years


Copyright © 2007 Dazdnconfzd

Invisible Title **UPDATED**

I entered a weekly Haiku contest over at Sparrows. Can you believe I actually made the top 10? Altho me thinks there were 10 entries. lol

So go check them out and cast your vote!

**Thank you all for the wonderful comments and your votes!**

Snowy Daydream

Snowy Daydream

So beautiful yet so concise
Always unique and never two alike
Free to travel with the wind
Finding one another in the end
Swirls of wind give them flight
Well into the day and through the night
Continually they fall from the heaven above
Gently floating as if on wings of a dove
Sunlight through the clouds at last
Radiant perceptions the sun has cast
Creating a wonderland from the barren and cold
A beautiful scene before my eyes does unfold
Millions have arrived covertly with the night
Seemingly nonchalant with their impending plight
The sun warms the surrounding air
Forthwith delivering destiny without a care
Memories of this morning will appease my fears
Wondrous joys the snow yields each year.

Copyright © 2006 Dazdnconfzd

(repost)

Mondays Ramblings

Awesome weekend...spent some time with a great friend! Just what I needed to keep my energies renewed. And I have a fantastic weekend coming up as well! Although instead of Crown Royal and Coke this weekend I'll stick with wine. heh Also...a big announcement coming right here at Dazd Central very soon so stay tuned!!!

Ok folks..you know how I am about my friends and events in their lives. Please go over and leave Meleah and Callie some comment love. They both had a very tough loss recently and as you'll see, you'll need some tissues. If you've not visited there before, tell them Dazd sent you. And for pete's sake, bookmark them. They are both wonderful people and post some amazing blogs.

Did I mention Crown Royal and Coke? ugh

Don't forget Dazed Over the Holidays!!! Although we need to send out an APB on Dragon and Goldbloom.

Which reminds me...does anyone know what's happened to Barista @ The Pink Cosmopolitan? I keep getting an error message. People People People...how many times do I have to ask that if you drop off the radar, please let me know. I have the Goon Squad out lookin' for you!

Ok...here's Mondays Caption Contest Pic.



Post your captions in the comments!

What We Can Learn about Committment

The Hunter


A hunter and his friend were sitting in a tall tower stand near highway 481 in Maverick Co., TX, early one cold December morning.

Suddenly, a huge buck walked out over the corn they had spread in the shrub with a tailgate feeder. The buck was magnificent......a once in a lifetime animal. His rack was huge....the hunter's hand shook as his mind was already counting the Boone and Crockett points. Moving quickly, the hunter carefully aimed the Leopold scope on his .300 Win Mag at the unsuspecting buck.

As he was about to squeeze the trigger on this deer of a lifetime, his friend alerted him to a funeral procession passing slowly down highway 481. The hunter pulled away from the gunstock, set the rifle down, took off his hat, bowed his head and then closed his eyes in prayer.

His friend was stunned. 'Wow, that is the most thoughtful and touching thing I have ever seen you do. You actually let that trophy deer go to pay respects to a passing funeral procession. You are indeed the kindest man I have ever known, and I feel lucky to call you a friend.'

The hunter shrugged. 'Yeah, well, we were married for 37 years.'