It has happened. My youngest daughter knows that mom and I are Santa, Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny.
But not by me. I officially have never ended the magic of childhood. Last night my youngest daughter (11 years-old) asked my wife about it. And mom confirmed what my daughter had figured out. Ironically because the Tooth Fairy has been inconsistent.
Ironically, two nights ago my youngest daughter asked me about the Easter Bunny. About how we knew who’s eggs were whose. I said I received a magical letter that had the instructions. She asked to see the letter. I said it dissolved into magical pieces once I read it. She thought that was cool.
But as we grow older, the magic of life seems to dissolve into dust and we can’t get it back. Last night, mom informed our daughter that I still believed. My daughter asked my wife not to tell me that she knew the truth.
The magic of believing… in joyful expressions.
I still believe in Santa, in the Easter Bunny, in the magic of the idea that life should be joyful. For my consistent readers, you know I believe in expressing our love to others everyday. But there is a deeper joyful feeling in believing in the magic of this life. Of childhood, of receiving a gift, or hidden eggs, simply because you are you.
So, even though all my children know that I am Santa, I still believe…
It is all Connected 
Yes, learning the truth about the imaginary friends who help us celebrate the holidays can be disappointing for kids… but be happy your daughter is so sensitive. We told our kids at a pretty young age that Santa was inspired by the real Saint Nicholas, and that we give them presents in honor of Nicholas’ Christian generosity.
Only problem was that our eldest was a precocious boy who proceeded to indiscriminately share that news with peers years before their parents would have wanted.
Oh well… it just depends on how we understand the “magic.” The genuine magic — what C.S. Lewis called the “Deeper Magic” in The Chronicles of Narnia — remains. And it gives us far more profound joy that is not limited to a particular season.
I enjoyed your post. Brought back some great memories. Again, it’s wonderful to have such a considerate daughter.
Thank you for your response. Had to laugh about your son :)… Everyone has a story about this moment, and many take place on the school yard. Yes, I agree about the deeper magic (I have read the whole series). We could have an interesting talk over coffee about this 🙂
Sharing a cup of coffee or a pint perhaps would be great… and very Inkling-like.