{The Santa Story} NO! He Isn't Real!

As the season draws nearer to Christmas, my son is always full of questions about Santa and how he delivers gifts and where he lives and he goes on and on…

My answers have been suspect to my own ears and circumspect to his which is probably why he has so many more questions!

He'll say, "So Mom - Is Santa real?"

I usually say something like, "Well, Santa lived a long time ago…"

Man… Its hard tho. I realized that many of my cyber friends and real life friends were grappling with the same issues. - To tell or not to tell… Many of the parents who never put up the facade or changed their modus of operandi said that they did so because they tired of lying to their children and didn't want to give their children the impression that lying was a good idea nor did they want to tarnish their good image!

This year I decided to forgo the fairy tale and let him in on a little bit of truth:

I am Santa Claus! Or Ms. Claus to be exact! He loved that one!

BUT

It didn't seem like the right thing to say…

So I had to clean it up a bit and say, "There is no Santa, Joe. He may have lived a long time ago and helped the poor and gave out gifts, but the reason for the season is Christ not Santa and I am the one who buys you gifts in remembrance of Christ's birth."

Of course I then had to explain so I went on to tell him that we celebrate Jesus by putting an angel on the tree to represent the angel who spoke to the Three Wise Men and we give each other gifts to represent and celebrate His birthday and sacrifice to us in coming in the flesh, to save us from ourselves.

I know that many of these traditions are Pagan in their origin and even the date of His birth was in Spring. Yes, I know this. BUT I also know that I want to exalt and celebrate His coming with my children and Christmas is the only game in town!

We don't particularly go for the commercialism of the season and I don't say X-Mas because that too takes away the meaning of the celebration! I mean you can't have Christ-mas without being a Christian! It's a private party for The Lord and no party crashers are allowed! LOL! Although many do try to take Christ out of Christmas, me and family we will worship and praise The Lord.

Anywho - if you want to see how we celebrated Him this year - check out my blog That NY Naturalista for more details!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

~Super Faye

I love my kids!

They are the best thing I have ever done with my life...

No. I mean really THE BEST THING.

They are the only thing I can say that I have done, aside from being a teacher, (which I actually came to in a similar fashion - haphazardly and BLESSED) that actually challenges me to be a better person daily!

Having my children is something that causes me to actually STOP, THINK and SEE how my actions affect my surroundings, be it positive or negative and I am truly grateful for them choosing to come through me to assist me on my journey.

I just pray that I am offering them a fraction of the enlightenment they are offering me in return...

Side bar-I think that metacognition and existentialism go hand in hand...

My KIDS

Why do I love them?

Let me count the ways...

Their sense of humor
Their smiles
Their quirkiness
Their intelligence
Their love
Their hugs
Their kisses
Their beautiful faces

THEM!

They are so sweet and wonderful....

Thank God they are mine....

Honey, Child!

My mother always told me you get more with sugar than $h@T but I have noticed that I am prone raging outbursts when it comes to my daughter's inability (seeming) to follow directions or to listen to what ask her to do. Then her flare-ups of attitude and blatant disrespect push me over the edge!

In talking to my Reiki Master about my personal life, I told her that my daughter and I are having major issues. I think she is lazy and thoughtless and she thinks that I am mean and evil!

My Reiki Master suggested that my daughter's Cancer sign is easily turned off and tunes out when I go into a fit of Leonine rage over her behavior... Then she becomes rebellious; either by ignoring what she is told to do because she didn't like the way it was delivered (the NERVE!) or talks back because she feels she is being trampled upon - Those Cancer Crab claw know how to pinch a nerve I'll tell you!!

It makes sense. I mean in typical Leo fashion (I am a a double Leo - Leo sun and rising) I have BIG LOUD OUTBURSTS that would make anyone run for cover!! But in my mind they are harmless expressions of my quickly fading (sometimes at the tail end of my tirade even!) anger.

She said in effect - "Honey child, you have to use honey, child."

I am practicining being more thoughtful before I speak in the manner of our president Barack Obama - also a fellow Leo! Watching how he has kept his cool under fire over the past two years; especially in light of the recent BP oil spill and Tea Party hijinks, has given me inspiration and hope for my own ability to remain cool, calm and collected. In addition, I will need to remember to add a little honey to sweeten the deal!

This is going to be inperative to how my daughter and my relationship unfolds in the future, so pray for my ability to hold my tongue and keep my anger in check!

Bitter

I was bitter.

Didn't even know it until my son asked for his daddy and I said "You don't have one."

Simple and plain. My daughter was talking to her sometimes okay halfway on time father and my son, who at 2 is very astute, said "I wanna talk to Daddy, Mommy." To which I replied "You don't have one - you have a God Daddy." Was I wrong? DEAD ASS wrong actually, but did I feel that - YES.

He has seen his father twice since he was three months old, and he has bought him pampers once. To me, that means he doesn't exist.

But he does, and no sooner had I said that he called. From jail no less. To profess his undying love for me and wishes to do things different in the 09! LOL God is a real comedian.

Baaaack to the bitterness.

I cried like a baby after all of this, because I felt the heartbreak all over again - Had to let that go, remember the healing, call my girlfriend, get my mind wrapped around that forgiveness and love real tight, then go get me a Soy Chai Latte!

Then today in church (chuch- lol), my Bishop hit me square between the eyes with the sermon about being a victim. I must admit, I was convicted. I do my best with keeping my joy but I must admit the situation with his father is a sore spot and the Enemy knew. I have had my share of problems over the past 8 months or so but it has been increasing steadily to this fevered pitch of crap that has kept me on my knees to keep me sane and functional. No complaints, God Is Good - ALL the time. And know I have the victory but in matters of my heart, I am sometimes confused with no model or standard to follow...

Anywho...

I know now that I have to forgive this dude, for real, in order to get past being hurt and give someone else a genuine chance of loving me the way I deserve. I need to stop being so cautious and afraid of being hurt but keep my common sense in play... Walking that thin line is going to be hard but I already claim the victory!