The Christmas Eve I was five, I woke my little sister, took her by the hand, and made her sit at the top of the stairs to watch our parents take our Christmas gifts out of the closet below the staircase. My objective? To prove to her that Santa wasn’t real. Why I don’t know. I don’t think I was a particularly mean sister. I can’t even remember how I knew Santa was make believe.
My parents didn’t discover us peeking, and my sister didn’t rat me out, so I went along with the Santa story for years after that night. Why? Because I believe in make believe.
Science can’t explain everything. Religion tries. Children simply believe. As we get older, we lose some of that capacity for hope against all odds, the certainty that, if we wish hard enough, it will be so. Star light, star bright …
I reserve room in my imagination for the magic of fairies, and elves, and unicorns, of ghosts, and Nessie, and Bigfoot. As a fiction writer, I think that’s only fair. When I offer you my writing, I ask you to enter a world of imaginary people, in imaginary places, doing imaginary things. I ask you to believe in my make believe.
And I’ll do my best to write it well, so no big sister will whisper in your ear and destroy the illusion.
Endnote: If you read this post and took any comment as a slight to your religious beliefs, please know that I had no such intent.
That’s a beautiful sentiment, Linda. Thanks for sharing that.
Thank you, Amy. And you’re welcome.
Make believe my royal patuzzi. That purple monster has been under my bed for all of my 62 years. He even follows when I have moved.
Well, Carl, you know what they say: one man’s make believe is another man’s reality.
That is awesome! Everyone needs some make believe in their life. It’s good for the soul and fuel for hope.
Indeed it is, Adam.
“When I offer you my writing, I ask you to enter a world of imaginary people, in imaginary places, doing imaginary things. I ask you to believe in my make believe.” —–Love those words, Linda.
I think we could all use a little more “make believe” in our lives.
I agree, Laura. Keep the inner child alive.
Aww, you know, I still believe in a lot of things that go against all logic. And some parts of Christmas are a part of that. It’s amazing what fills this world, and I have no doubt in my mind that there is magic here. Thank you for sharing this, Linda.
You’re welcome, Michelle.
It’s fun to believe and read yours and others make believe.
Don’t we all need more fun, Stacy?
Oh, yes, I do believe. Like Virginia, I believe in all that Santa represents. I even clap to keep tinkerbell alive, every time! Happy Holidays!
I’m with you on Tinkerbelle, Patti.
You bet I believe in make-believe. It’s important to have a heaping helping of it everyday.
It certainly makes life more interesting, doesn’t it, Fivecats?
maybe, LInda, that’s the difference between a good story and not so good one, is one where the writer believes in his/her own make-believe.
Great post, I think you know that for me make-believe is a huge part of life.
I think you’re absolutely right about that, Jennifer.
And with little ones in the home, how could you not believe in make believe?
I believe, otherwise there is no hope. I refuse to live a hopeless life.
Amen, Marcia.
There is SO much more than we perceive! Plenty of room for all sorts of experiences. I believe in past lives and future lives, parallel universes, epigenetics and non-Euclidian geometry. I don’t understand advanced math or how electricity works but it all is out there for real. Fundamentally I have confidence in the benevolence of the Creator, whatever Her name, which is what Jesus tried to convince us of. For that reason we should be hopeful, and I wish you a Merry Christmas every day.
I miss your blogging. I hope you get back to it soon.
Mary Jean, it sounds like we could have some very interesting conversations!
I’ll take that Merry Christmas every day and send the same to you. Thank you. I’m halfway back to blogging. 
I can see this sentiment in the unfolding story I’m reading write now. I feel like your characters are lives lived.
Thank you, Wendy. You’ve started my morning with a smile.
When my granddaughters ask me if I believe in fairies, I emphatically answer YES!
Welcome to my blog, Susan. I hope I never quit believing in fairies.