On Sept. 21, 1897, an 8-year-old girl named Virginia wrote to The Sun, a prominent New York City newspaper, to ask if Santa Claus truly existed.
Without knowing the impact it could have on the current society or on future generations, Francis Church, one of the paper’s editors, 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.
“Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence.”
Although Church’s message was likely intended to be much more profound, I find his message to be fairly simple –– the things unseen are the most memorable during the holiday season.
Church’s response emphasizes the holidays are full of childlike nostalgia, generosity and love.
Further, Virginia’s innocent inquiry reminds us of the unbridled belief and faith in things unseen.
Year after year, children and adults alike look forward to the happiness the holidays provide.
For me, life sometimes seems simpler during the holidays, helping to mask the stress that sometimes comes with life
Each holiday my mom, sister and I sit in our car for hours waiting in line to look at holiday light displays.
My dad and I race around the ice skating rink trying the occasional pirouette.
And it never fails –– my grandparents start up their karaoke machine and coax everyone in the family to sing, although sometimes out of tune, the same holiday classics.
This year, my eyes were opened to a new tradition with The Jacksonville Bar Association’s Adopt a Senior Project.
Many of our members generously donated their time and daily necessities to provide holiday memories for almost 300 senior citizens in Jacksonville.
I will continue my attempt at holiday generosity into the New Year and invite you to be part of Holidays in January.
On Jan. 7 at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, the JBA Young Lawyers Section and Family Support Services of North Florida will bring cheer to children who were placed in foster care during the holidays.
Whether it is dinner with family and friends, volunteering at a food pantry or visiting Santa Claus, people create holiday memories to last a lifetime.
These things unseen help build holiday memories for those creating new traditions or recalling traditions that once were.
Over the past century, the inquiry from Virginia and Church’s response have inspired family traditions, scholarships, cantatas and department store holiday window displays.
Through her curiosity, Virginia continues to encourage childhood nostalgia and generosity throughout the holiday season.
In her honor, I challenge you to focus on things unseen, whether through generosity in the community or making memories and traditions with your own family and friends. Here’s wishing you all a wonderful holiday season.
Ashlea Edwards is an associate with GrayRobinson.