My Christmas spirit is vastly improved since last year. I'm not sure that I can attribute it to being out of a trailer and in a house, though I'm sure that that does play some part. I think mostly it has to do with -- hmmm, now let me see how to put it -- I guess it has to do with Santa Claus. Over the past 16 or so months I've seen a great many things I never thought I'd see, never hoped to see, and some I'll never hope to see again. But in some ways these experiences have made me understand what Charles Dickens meant about a redeemed Scrooge keeping Christmas in his heart every day.
Every year in December (as most elementary school teachers will tell you) the students start up the great "is there or isn't there a Santa Claus?" debate. Somehow, a good number of these kids turn to me as the last word, the truthful authority who can settle this once and for all. (I don't really know why this is. Maybe it's because I try to talk to my kids the same way I talk to the adults I know. Maybe they'd just ask anybody, and I just think they look on me as some authority. Maybe they ask me because, through my picture drawing, song singing, music making and bubble blowing, I seem blissfully free of being "grown up." The point is, though, they ask me.) So I stand there, hoping to dispense some sort of Solomonic wisdom to these kids. At any rate, this is what I say.
"Well, one of the nice things about living in this country is that every one is allowed to have their own opinion, and we don't all have to agree. You're free to believe there is one, and others are equally free to believe that there isn't. No one should try to force his or her belief on any one else."
Of course this always leads to the next question, which I'm sure you see coming right now. A little girl looked up at me and said, "What do YOU believe?" This, of course, was followed by the proverbial record scratch and all of the children completely stopping all motion and sound to hear my reply. (OK, nothing can actually stop all motion and sound in an elementary art class, but it felt like it.)
That's when it dawned on me.
I remembered all of the kindness that I have seen in the midst of all of this tragedy. I've seen people sending relief and aid to people they'll never meet. I've seen volunteers put there lives on hold to come down and help build house for folks who need them (or just fix up odds and ends and screen in porches!). I've seen surrogate grandmothers from Corvallis, Ore. -- the First Presbyterian Piecemakers -- send handmade future heirloom quilts to children who need warmth and security. I've seen the Amish building houses for my students, and my sister-in-Law. I've seen Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse members help my father-in-law in his rebuilding. I've seen a woman weep in Joy at receiving a box of Epsom salts given to her from a load of supplies I brought from Springhill Presbyterian Church in the first days after the storm. I have given out toys to kids who needed them, including a complete set of Beanie Baby collectibles sent by Babs Mann of Mobile, and a flashing sirened police car given by my then-5-year-old nephew Billy. I've seen my mom and dad (who look a great deal like Mr. & Mrs. Claus already) tirelessly make trip after trip after trip to deliver goods and supplies to my communities of Pearlington, Waveland and Bay Saint Louis. I've delivered guitars and harmonicas and drums furnished by Kim Turner and the Seaside Community Foundation to kids who didn't have the means to replace instruments. I've seen disbelief and joy on our neighbor Geoff Kergosin's face when Heather presented him with a camelia tree this year for Christmas ("How did you know that this is my favorite tree?" he asked. Turns out he had one that was his pride and joy, but it was killed in the storm!). We've seen and received gifts through our church that enabled us to get a new heat/AC unit right at the time when ours died. I remembered all of the wishes and prayers and support of all of our friends, families, acquaintances, and all of the support we've gotten from readers of this Web site. I remembered all of the good, and all of the kindness, and all of the hope.
So I looked that little girl right in the eye and said
"I absolutely one hundred percent believe in Santa Claus."
And I thank God that we all have a chance to be him now and again.
More trouble for Paradise?
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Wow, great message.
Robin Richards, North Bend, Oregon (Sent Dec 26, 2006 7:31:44 PM)
That's beautiful, Steve. You brought tears to my eyes--again! What a fine educator, and human being, you are.
David E. Sallis, Bay St. Louis, MS (Sent Dec 27, 2006 10:43:52 AM)
I love this message. My mom is in better spirits this year (she is in Diamondhead) and she is getting things back together. It is great to see how many people come together and help out after something like this.
SMile
Kristin San Ramon, Ca (Sent Dec 27, 2006 1:28:06 PM)
I believe too, my friend. I've seen and experienced first hand those wonderful things you described.
geoff kergosien (Sent Dec 27, 2006 2:21:08 PM)
What a moving, heartwarming post! It truly shows how Santa Claus can be in all of us. Hope you and Heather and all of your students had a wonderful Christmas and that many good things come your way in 2007.
Olivia, Peoria, Ill. (Sent Dec 27, 2006 2:47:07 PM)
Steve,
You are definitely the kind of person we need educating and molding youth. May we all find many more like you to help teach the next generation what giving and believing is all about. Best wishes to everyone on the Gulf Coast for the new year.
Brad, Farmington, MN (Sent Dec 27, 2006 3:08:52 PM)
Amen. Well said. NJ is with you and will continue to be with you and your community through the rebuilding. You are not forgotten and are in our hearts!
jane skillman, nj (Sent Dec 27, 2006 7:31:51 PM)
Somehow tragedy brings out the Santa Claus in us all. I've seen many Santas building 40 homes for the Gulf during Super Bowl XL in Detroit. Many of my fellow Habitat volunteers (Macomb County, MI) went to Jackson, MS so their volunteers could build on the Gulf Coast. It has been over 45 yrs. but I believe again!
Susan Smith, Clinton Twp, MI (Sent Dec 27, 2006 11:00:26 PM)
What a great entry, Steve! I've said it before: I can tell you're a teacher by reading what you write. Your students are blessed to have you as a teacher. Sounds like you've been counting your own blessings - both giving and receiving! I'm so, so glad to hear that things are moving in the right direction for you. You and your community deserve it! Happy holidays and a prosperous 2007!
Stephanie Umbro, Maine (Sent Dec 28, 2006 8:26:24 PM)
Beautiful, I sent to all my e-mail contacts.
mandy, MS Gulf Coast (Sent Dec 29, 2006 6:52:13 PM)
Happy New Year!....and God Bless!
andy,booneville ms. (Sent Dec 31, 2006 4:25:37 PM)
Steve - Thanks for saying it so well...our community's children are fortunate to have such a positve influence as you...I have seen so much more good than bad become of all this - Santa comes in all shapes and forms.
T.Ryan (BSL) (Sent Jan 1, 2007 11:52:50 PM)
I believe! My brother lives in Pass Christian and is rebuilding. My sons girlfriend came down with her church group to help out in New Orleans right after Katrina. We are all very thankfull for everyones help.
Kelli, Madison,WI (Sent Jan 8, 2007 12:37:23 PM)
Beautiful essay, Steve. May this year bring continued improvement and rebuilding for all of you on the Gulf, and more publicity for the needs and successes!
Rosemary, Sacramento CA (Sent Jan 9, 2007 5:47:04 PM)
Thanks, Steve. It was good to read this.
Bev, Kansas (Sent Jan 14, 2007 8:05:39 PM)
What a great story and a wonderful message. It is one thing to accept help, support... and hope - from others. But to be able to give it back, especially to our young children, is truly a gift. Your story is inspiring and your gift is invaluable.
Martha, White Hall, MD (Sent Jan 21, 2007 12:24:40 PM)
God Bless You, Steve. It felt good to read this!
Cher (Sent Jan 23, 2007 1:26:54 PM)
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