Thursday, April 02, 2009

Of Easter Bunnies and Santas.....

I don't have a photo for this one.

I just couldn't bear to pull out the Canon and snap it in the face of the little one, whose very belief system was hanging in the balance.

But you can probably picture it.

Just having discovered a small stash of Easter goodies in the back of a closet, Ellie walked slowly over to me, face reddening. Question marks flashed like lightning in her eyes.

"Mom," she asked in a measured voice, "Is.... there...."

"Is there..... really an Easter bunny?"

Tears tiptoed in her eyes.

I gave the standard, "what do you think, honey" response, but I knew that it was too far gone and that really, it was time.

Time.

Time for the Princess of Hearts to find out the truth. She has always had questions. But she stayed firm in her belief that fairies and bunnies and big jolly men and elves somehow existed in a parallel universe.

She has heard kids say that Santa is not real.


But Ellie still believed.

Until today. Once I gently nodded to her that yes, sweetie, your hunch is right... there is not a big bunny hopping around delivering presents to kids... or even a man in a Red Suit who flies on a sleigh loaded with gifts, a little quirky smile slowly arrived upon her face. The tears still brimmed, but I could see in her eyes that it was going to be OK.

Then, she broke the tension: "Next time, hide the presents better!"

Ha.

Just then, the phone rang. It was out-of-town Tom. Ellie answered. Their conversation went like this.

Ellie: Hello?
Dad: Hey girl! Whatcha doing?
Ellie: Well, I just asked mom if the Easter bunny is real.
Dad: Oh really? (pause) What did she say?
Ellie: Well dad..... (getting the timing just right) apparently........ he's not.
Tom: (laughing!)

That's my girl.

10 Wonderful Responses:

Unknown said...

you mean there is NO Easter Bunny???

cute story!
;-)

Kathleen said...

Love the way you told it, Annie!

My kids found out the same way, only it wasn't until Easter morning the subject came up:

Them (After seeing their basket): Hey Mom, I know now there's not an Easter bunny!

Me: Really? How?

Them: Because we saw this stuff yesterday in a Target bag in the back of the car.

Stinkers!

Amanda Herrold said...

Oh my gosh! all 3 of mine still believe. I am sure they are totally getting teased at school...but they believe! This year at Christmas, Hannah noticed the Justice tags on the clothes. I could see the wheels turning. She looks at me and says, "does this mean what I think it means?" and I gave the same response back, "what do you think honey" hoping she wouldn't blurt it out in front of her sisters and she says, "Does Santa steal?" LOL...no clue!

Shannon said...

Marissa figured out Santa when I used the same wrapping paper one year for Santa gifts. She is still keeping the dream alive for Maren though. Very sweet post...

4 Lettre Words said...

Ahhh...I really do dread that day.

Dawn said...

LOL AAAwwwww!!!

Courtney learned that about 6 months ago. It really does break your heart!

Tracey said...

Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy are all real... parents/grandparents are just his helpers... That is what I have been told... although the Easter Bunny has forgotten me the last couple of years... hmmmm...

Mike said...

I have been struggling with how to break the news to my son, and he's almost 12! I've never said anything, and he's never asked, so I keep quiet. I think he should probably know, though. Are Sara and I that good at keeping secrets?

Michelle said...

Oh..I a dreading that conversation with Grace. She is starting to question it but still believes. I think you handled that very well.

ellen said...

Oh no... I don't even want to think about that conversation. :-(