MY TURN By Fran Hardy

Thanks, Virginia, for being brave enough to wonder One hundred and twelve years ago a fearless 8-year-old took a chance and determined that her desire for truth was stronger than her fear of actually finding it. So she went straight to what she considered the most reliable source of her day and posed the most difficult question she’d ever asked. Since her Papa told her, “If you see it in the Sun, it’s so,” young Virginia demanded the truth in no uncertain terms. She asked the editor of the New York Sun, “Please tell me the truth. Is there a Santa Claus?” His answer was published on Sept. 21, 1897 in what became the most reprinted editorial in history. Editor Francis Pharcellus Church responded, in part, “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.” As difficult as it was for little Virginia O’Hanlon to ask that question, I can only imagine how difficult it was for Church to respond. Children have to muster a lot of courage to ask questions to which they’re afraid they may not like the answers. Adults have to muster even more courage to answer questions to which they’re not sure they have the right answers. The confidence and gumption it took to ask and answer that perplexing question inspired and uplifted an entire nation. Even now, more than a century later, the words of Virginia O’Hanlon and Francis Church still touch our hearts and stir our hopes. Of course cynics will object to the fluff and insignificance of the issue itself, in light of more weighty matters that plague us today. Who cares to revisit such a well-worn fairy tale when wars are brewing, economies are crumbling and so many old fashioned ideals, lofty hopes and fervent dreams have long faded? Because we need to. At this time of year especially, we need miracles. We want happy endings to stories and we need to believe our wishes can come true. Such thoughts feed our spirits, fuel our determination and spur us on toward our goals. But such thoughts don’t always come easily, no matter what century we’re in. The more turmoil we face, the more hope we need. As Church said, “The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see.” He was talking about faith. Like a small vessel, buffeted by winds of trouble and tossed on waves of tears, faith must float atop a sea of doubt. If doubt fills the vessel, it will sink. We have to fight to keep it afloat. That’s precisely why we must keep asking and answering the difficult questions of life. When Virginia challenged a response to a question many took for granted, while others instantly dismissed, she forced doubt and fear out of the dark to be examined in the light of the human spirit. Facing impossible questions head-on sharpens our wits, crystallizes our thoughts and helps us confront our insecurities. But we cannot accept only what our eyes and our logic tell us is true. We must look deeper, to what our hearts tell us is true. Then hope is born and faith flourishes. Since Virginia’s day, we’ve learned all too well that just because something is in print, it’s not necessarily so. Now anyone can print anything on the Internet. The blogosphere and talk show airwaves abound with critics and self-christened truth-seekers who claim no media source can be trusted, especially newspapers, and no one speaks the truth anymore. Maybe so. And maybe not. Maybe truth exists only in the eye of the reader. But we have to keep asking and answering. We have to keep believing. We need more people like Virginia and Francis Church today. Desire, hope and belief grow stronger when challenged and result in the kind of faith that makes things happen. Faith can save lives and change the world. Thank you Virginia, for being brave enough to wonder. Thank you Mr. Church, for being strong enough to answer. Is there a Santa Claus? Let’s keep the questions alive...and hope will never die. Merry Christmas to all and best wishes for a bright new year.