Alive and Well

(Non) Fiction by Robert McEvily



Dear World,

It's me, Santa Claus. Just a quick letter to set the record straight about a few things...

I do exist, you know. I've grow so tired of hearing I don't. It's just that my story got blown WAY out of proportion. I'm just a guy named Kringle - a regular person, just like you. I live in Canada. Some friends from Florida consider Canada "the North Pole," so... that's how THAT got started.

Years ago, on Christmas Day, I was very generous with my neighbors. Lots of folks in my neighborhood had a pretty rough year. No need for details; take my word for it. I bought a bunch of fairly inexpensive gifts for everyone's kids. Gifts like Matchbox cars and small dolls and stuff. No biggie, really. But everyone really appreciated it. And they always remembered. Word spread, and just like that, I became a holiday legend. The embellishments make it fun I guess, but I'm not called "Santa" and I don't have reindeer or elves. (Just an old reliable pickup truck and a midget friend named Horatio.)

That Christmas Day years ago was pretty much my kindness highlight. I'm not a bad guy, but I'm fairly average. It's funny how you can be known for one thing - good or bad - and be forced to live with that perception forever. "Jolly ol' Saint Nick." Who can live up to being "jolly" all the time? Who can stand to be imperfect and live the lie of "Mr. Wonderful?" Better to be scared and honest. Better to accept that you can't change people's opinions. Best to be you, and be comfortable. As comfortable as your mind allows.

Anyway, I do exist. I'm a person, just like you. Dumb luck that one of my nicer moments has turned into a pretty cool tradition. But I'm comfortable with it now. I'm honored. I'm happy to be alive and well. Whether or not you believe in me, I exist, and I'm alive and well.

Happy Holidays.

-K