Santa Claus, too?
Don Coldsmith
Monday, March 26, 2007
EASTER is fast approaching, another of our holidays which has a long and varied history. The date varies, of course, among the various branches of Christianity. It’s still a mystery to me why different worshipers worldwide don’t try occasionally to see what their religions agree on. It seems to me that it would be more interesting than looking for nit-picking points to disagree on, or to fight and kill about.
But, back to my topic. When our own marriage was comparatively new, we had an amalgamated family of five daughters. Hers, mine and one of ours. They all became “ours” eventually. At this particular time their age ranged from about one year to about 11.
A couple who were friends of long standing came to visit us for a weekend. They, too, had a family of all girls, although only three. When they would visit us, we’d simply spread blankets all over the floor in one bedroom. The adults could visit in the adjacent living room and easily hear whether there were any problems.
On the occasion in mind, we were not anticipating any problems with the eight (yes, EIGHT) daughters in the barracks. The most exciting thing of the weekend was that the visitors’ youngest daughter had a loose tooth. Of course, this was pretty exciting to the others, the oldest of whom had had much experience with loose teeth.
There were discussions about tying a string around the loose tooth and the other end to a doorknob. Such things were mentioned as the use of pliers, which, of course, engendered a near-panic on the part of the victim. Meanwhile, the tooth became so loose that one of the older girls described it as “swinging in the wind.”
Eventually, of course, the tooth did loosen enough for the patient to swing it free. Then began a new phase of discussion. It was the first such experience of the sort for the young guest of honor. However, she had the voice of experience and advice from at least a half dozen older experts in the engineering of loose teeth.
But what does one do with the trophy? There were theories about saving the tooth as a keepsake, or whether parents had the responsibility of deciding the fate of the tiny souvenir. Put it under your pillow, advised one of the elder girls and the Tooth Fairy will take it and leave money in its place.
“What does the Tooth Fairy do with all the teeth?” someone asked.
This led to a prolonged discussion about pearls and ivory and whether baby elephants have to shed loose baby tusks. We adults in the next room were completely charmed by this rare insight into a child’s thought process.
Eventually, some of the older girls were overcome by their own expertise and had to insert some factual material.
“Of course, the tooth fairy is really your parents,” one of the elders announced.
“Sure,” said another.
Still slightly puzzled, the newly inducted member nodded in understanding.
“It’s like the Easter Bunny,” said another. “Rabbits don’t even lay eggs. Your parents hide ‘em for you to find.”
“Sure.”
“And Santa Claus —”
There was a long pause, and then, a weak little voice which sounded on the verge of tears, cut through the silence.
“Santa Claus, too?”
I don’t know — I can’t remember when I didn’t know Santa was a charming game kept alive by parents and older siblings. I was Number Three of four children, which probably helped to get the idea across pretty early. But there was also a strong sense of always tell the truth. Even when joking, anything not literally accurate must be labeled somehow so that no one would misunderstand. Otherwise, how could a person’s honesty be assured?
I think that there was a great deal of educating going on, that weekend. I don’t recall a more meaningful look inside the mind of a preschool-aged child. We learned a lot that evening, too.
See you down the road.
Author and columnist Don Coldsmith lives in Emporia.