The loss of childhood dreams

Katie is now aware that Santa is a wonderful idea, but not exactly physical. As a 5th grader she has had a very difficult time holding on to her belief in Mr. Claus, her friends and acquaintances have insisted that he doesn't exist and only fools believe. She held strong especially since she has a picture of an elf left to her by Santa years past. Well, Xander was snooping in our closet prior to Christmas and came across some reindeer webkins and told Katie about them. On Christmas she received; from Santa, said reindeer. She brought this up to me in the car and I did some explaining. She broke in the saddest tears, weeping from great sorrow. Her faith is strong and she has been known to stand by people and things when no one else would. These traits are wonderful and I pray we haven't damaged or lessened them in any way, and that she can understand how Santa can be so real without having to be an actual person at the North Pole.