To my sweet, innocent, trusting daughters,
I have enjoyed a new sense of eager anticipation around holiday seasons since having children. Your excitement is a wonderful reminder of the joy of Christmas and the hope of Easter. In the days that lead up to the celebrations I have to face regular questioning regarding the countdown to the holiday itself.
However, there is something that has really bothered me in recent years when it comes to the traditions surrounding these festivals. As much as your father and I try to reinforce the real meaning behind Easter and Christmas, your excitement is largely thanks to the requisite visit from the Easter Bunny and Santa. At this stage of your life, it is all about the eggs and the presents.
But you see, they are not real.* We have been lying to you. And I feel so guilty because you trust us. Also, we have high expectations that you always tell the truth but here I am lying to you at least twice a year! And more when your teeth start to fall out (enter stage left Tooth Mouse).
I have really had to think this one through. Do I want to be honest with you, brand myself as a total killjoy and ruin your fun? Or do I go with the flow, let you believe in these mythical characters – Santa, Easter Bunny, Tooth Mouse, Dummy Fairies etc – and deal with your disappointment as it arises? It feels like a tug-of-war between my ethics and popular culture.
As expected, a quick Google brings up countless arguments both for and against this universal practice of deception. So it really is up to me to make up my own mind. There is justification for whatever I decide.
After some thought, I have decided I am okay with this one (or two or three…) white lie for the sake of your childhood experience. You are little just once. Sooner than I can blink you will be grown up and you will have to face the sometimes grim reality of everyday life.
For now I am going to leave you to believe in magic, to believe in a world that it is largely good. If – when you discover the truth – you turn around and tell me you can’t trust me, I will respond that you certainly can. While the Easter Bunny may not be real, my choice to let you believe in him was out of love for you, in order to preserve your childish dreams and wide-eyed wonder. It is my duty, as your mother, to protect your innocence for as long as possible.
And when it comes to Easter, one day you may no longer believe in the fantasy of the Easter Bunny. However, my prayer for you is that by then you will believe in something so much bigger; the eternal hope of Jesus. He is more than magic and greater than your wildest dreams. And in that you can always trust. May magic be replaced by an unshakeable faith.
Happy Easter my chocolate-loving, innocent, uncorrupted, precious little ones.
Love,
Mum
*I will obviously not allow you to read this letter until you no longer believe in any of the aforementioned characters.
