“He’s had chest pains for weeks

But doctors don't make house

Calls to the North Pole.”

Is Santa real?

His long white beard

His red suit

His hat that covers his head

His sleigh.

His reindeer.

Is Santa really real?

The movies, the celebrations,

Are they all just for nothing?

My big sister and I would always fight

Over who got day 25 on the advent calendar

Was that just for nothing?

All the letters we wrote to “Santa” if that’s your real name!

The day we found out that Santa was dead was a day I’ll never forget

It was after school 

And Christmas break was started

And while our mom was making food,

My sister and I went into my mom’s room

To look for my sister’s picture frame…

And what we found is when Santa died.

We found the picture frame in a box with a cupcake on it…

In that box is what killed Santa

We found all the letters we have been “sending to Santa.” 

We even found letters to the Tooth Fairy,  Easter Bunny, 

even to Mrs. Claus!

Ceaseless streams of saline cut our cheeks as we ran out of the room.

We couldn't stop it.

Santa wasn't real and neither were any of the other holiday “mascots.”

Why were we lied to?

Looking back at how happy it made us I completely understand why we were lied to.

Even though Santa is dead,

in our hearts there are so many more hearts that aren't dead.