When I was seven years old I assumed my mom believed in Santa Claus. It wasn't only because of her excitement over leaving cookies for him or her eagerness to get me and my two brothers to bed early so that he would visit, but because on Christmas morning when we opened our gifts she delighted in what we unwrapped just as much as we did, as if the mermaid whose tail changed colors in the bathtub or the matchbox cars decorated in fancy metallic colors were truly the greatest things she had ever seen.
Years later I learned the very simple yet impressive truth. Santa Claus does exist. He had stopped by my house that Christmas Eve and left three trash bags full of wrapped presents on my doorstep. My mom, recently divorced and struggling to make ends meet, cried as she placed the gifts under the tree, and in the morning she was overjoyed at how happy my brothers and I were as we opened them.
Even more impressively, Santa Claus lives in my town. His Christmas cheer lived in an anonymous group of high school students who bought and wrapped the presents for me and my brothers. I know my mom will be forever grateful to that group of special people, and I'll never forget them either. I think of them every time I look at my little brother's stuffed dog, Patch, who became his trusted accomplice and security blanket that Christmas and has remained a part of his life for 15 years. I think of them every time I donate a toy to a local toy drive. Paying forward the selfless act that they performed for me helps me see my world and my community as a place where people continue to help each other; where people need and are needed, and where the holiday spirit is truly alive.
Whether you need or are needed, I hope this holiday season brings you joy!