[moog]

We enlisted the help of our neighbors who had no children of their own to put our gifts out for us when we visited one of the grandparents. They loved doing it, and still played "Santa" even after they moved to a different community. The point of my story is that when the time comes for a child to leave the world of magic behind, that it need not disappoint.

Actually you seem like a very common sense person, something sorely lacking in the world nowadays.

I HAD to reply to you to THANK you. I don't have children of my own (haven't been able to for several years) so I REALLY appreciate you and your kids for doing something like leaving presents. I don't know if you have any idea what that means to someone, but I KNOW they really appreciate it a lot. That is the real "spirit" of Christmas, one where we forget all the politics and treat people nicely because it is "right" so to speak. You have taught your children the magic of Christmas and "Santa" and it will continue to live in their hearts for forever more I believe. That alone makes you a very worthy parent, actually deserving of some award I believe.

It's amazing how insensitive some people can be sometimes. Other options aren't available right now, but hopefully someday I can raise a child of my own. I will love that child like no other and will thank God every day for him/her when that day comes. Sometimes people say things like, "Why don't you want kids?" or "So you decided you didn't want any kids?" I have long ceased being offended, but have realized that many such comments are made in ignorance or innocence. People just don't realize what they're saying.

But then there are some on here who try the insult, "I see that you don't have any kids...." That loses credibility with me from the outset and that's all I will say on that.

All I will say is that if anyone has kids or family they're spending Christmas with, they better dang well be on their knees on Christmas Eve thanking God for that opportunity. If you have the privilege of raising kids, thank God for that opportunity too.

I thank God for all the blessings that he has given me and continues to give me, especially in my capacity as a teacher in serving those in my own neighborhood. I will always try to keep the Christmas "magic" going in my own classroom.

Heck, I was so bad I used to think that the airplanes at night were Rudolph:).

Have a merry Christmas and God bless you for your efforts.

[Mygirlsmom]

For all the teacher bashing that goes on lately (much of it deserved and I have done my fair share of it towards those who abuse their authority), we must never forget that for every bad story out there there are countless untold stories of the marvelous impact that a teacher/mentor can have on a child.

I am acutely aware of that lately, as my Sophomore daughter shares the insights of her basketball coaches. Sometimes their team makes the "Bad News Bears" seem like olympians, and I know she is disappointed by that because she always puts 110% into her efforts. But even after the most crushing of defeats, she's at peace with it. And it's all due to the perspective she's been given by her coaches. They get things across to her that I know if they came from me would fall on deaf ears. And they're lessons she'll not only use on the court, but through her entire life.

So you might not ever know it, but you have the power to impact MANY children in a way that a parent never could, and I'm sure you do. I thank you for that, and extend that thanks to all who are in your position and use it wisely. (And when you someday know the joys of parenting, you'll no doubt see your position as teacher in a new way, because you'll see it happen to your child too.)

Wishing you the Blessings of a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2006.