Three Stages of a Man's Life
To remind you of the quote that best describes man’s journey from child to fatherhood, it goes like this:
First off, I do believe in Santa Claus and that Christmas is a time for giving.
Do you believe in Santa Claus?
My childhood memories of Christmas were all very special events. My parents fostered my belief in Santa Claus. Enhancing him even further by making Christmas a truly special event for all of us. The gifts we received were greeted with welcoming arms and wild cheers. Mum and Dad enjoyed watching our faces explode into happiness as our busy hands shredded the wrappings of our presents. I gave no thought to the idea that Santa was a figment of my parent’s imagination.
Was it the same for you?
How could I! Having put out a glass of milk with fruit cake at the foot of the Christmas tree for years on end and to find them gone in the morning, who else would have eaten and drunk to their heart’s content but Santa. As we got older the milk was replaced with beer. Santa was getting older like us. As for not having a chimney my parents came back with the reassuring reply “There’s always the window”.
What did you leave for Santa?
The years slowly rolled by but the belief in Santa remained. Doubts did appear during my early teens, but to have given up on him would be akin to giving up all that was good about Christmas. So for me the “he doesn't believe in Santa Claus” part of the quote does not compute. Santa will always be a person who delivers presents on Christmas Eve. It doesn’t matter in the slightest as to what form Santa takes or how he gets in.
Did you have any doubts about Santa?
Becoming a father at twenty-two, I also fostered my children’s belief in Santa. I watched my children’s faces explode into happiness on the opening of their gifts. As for me I still enjoy receiving presents and act like I once did as a child on my mothers knee on Christmas Day. Observing my children now, I do believe they will continue the tradition passed down by my parents to me.
Is it better to give than to receive?
As I write this my wife is playing a song with the words, “I saw mummy kissing Santa Claus last night”, so I know Christmas is not far away. Bye for now and remember that we better be good for goodness sake, as Santa Claus is coming to town.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year"
To be continued...
25 comments - care to make one?:
Hi Peter,
I love it! Believe, don't believe and then you are Santa... it's true that Santa can take on many forms. I often wonder if nurturing a belief in Santa for my children is teaching them that it's okay to lie, but then, it is too exciting to watch their faces as they unwrap pressies with delight! Just as you and I did, our children do and theirs will follow suit too.
I feel better about the Santa thing since reading your post... now hurry up and make sure that mummy is kissing the right Santa Claus ;)
Cheers,
Ange
Me again... I forgot to answer your question about giving and receiving... I think that it is just as wonderful to receive as it is to give. I love to give and to receive. It is a natural law and if you are not open to receiving, then you won't get many pressies. I love each and everything I receive and am grateful and celebrate it as this is telling the universe that you are open to even more abundance.
Happy Holidays to everyone :)
Hi! Ange. The quote made quite an impression on me when I came across it. I would certainly like to meet the person who created it.
I don't think it's a lie really, as Santa is described as a person who delivers presents on Christmas Eve.
Now the magic that Santa uses is not hard for kids to understand. Most just accept it, I did.
A different matter as they and we get older, of course. Having said that, the Magic of Christmas should show itself in the form of the good times that come with it. That's the magic for me.
The words in the song mean more for parents I believe and a reminder for us all that we should make Christmas a time for giving and loving the ones in our lives. I don't want to sound wishy washy but that's how I feel.
I too am very, very grateful when I get pressies, especially when I get heaps of them. Yes, I'm just a big kid in an old body.
Take care and thank you heaps for the visit and comments.
All the best!
Peter
Just me, Peter! Watching the trees turn to popsicles. I really don't recall ever believing in a real man named Santa Claus. I have always believed in "the spirit of Christmas" and that comes in many forms. Santa Claus, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, are just a few of the names. My home and the home I grew up in always displayed images of the various faces of Christmas, religious and secular. I just had to make sure that my children understood that it wasn't nice to tell other children that Santa didn't really exist and they learned to respect this.
I don't think it's going to be as bad here as it was in 2005. Doesn't look to be at present anyway.
Hi! Moonshadow. Taking into account the ice storms you are experiencing I really appreciate this visit immensely. It must be extremely hard for you and family at this moment.
I like cold weather but having seen your ice storm images I think it best for me to appreciate what I've got here.
Santa Claus has many names but they all have the same thing in common - a person who delivers gifts to children. So I would say there is a Santa Claus hiding in all of us.
I hope you are all safe and that you get to see your doctor soon after the missed appointment.
All the best!
Peter
Great post Peter!
I do believe in Santa I also foster that belief with my children. So I do have to help out Santa with the presents and details. I don't mind doing it. I know he's busy.
I love to give rather than to receive. My heart just bursts when someone opens that perfect gift, faces light up, and sometimes tears begin to fall.
Happy holidays to you and yours!
Hi! The Muse. Another follower of Santa, Great!
Santa needs as much help as Santa can get these days considering there are 6,602,224,175 presents to deliver.
Having said that, I know times are hard for a lot of people. I hope and I wish that things get better for them.
Thank you for visiting and I too find it exhilarating watching someone open a gift. Not just from me but from anyone!
I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Take Care
Peter
Peter
Wonderful post! Made me smile. Well at least I know now that the lump of coal I've been getting for Christmas all these comes from the real deal. :-)
~JD
Hi Peter, this is such a cool post and well written and well put together, now I have to say that you must have spent all night writing it.
So lets talk about the three stages of a man's life:
"There are three stages of a man's life: He believes in Santa Claus, he doesn't believe in Santa Claus, he is Santa Claus" - well I am not a man so it does not apply. But I did believe in Santa, a Santa we never saw, but we saw the results as gifts were always delivered. Some of the gifts we would receive from our close family, but for some reason at the same time there were no gifts from our parents, so eventually we figured it all out. Well when my brother was born, I think we played more with them, so we tend to entertain ourselves more, and being older - one Christmas I decided to be Santa for my 3 year old brother. He believed, and he still talks about it today - I am surprised that he did remember. I guess it was sparked when I was Santa helper in the local church, and I wanted to step up. So to follow the quote, I believed in Santa until 7, I stopped believing in Santa when I was may be 7 years old, and I was Santa at age 13, almost retired, but I made successful come back last year as you know from my latest post. Peter, must say excellent post, and I mean it. Anna :)
Hi! JD. If I can make one person smile then it has all been worth it. Seeing I have, it's made my day. For that I'll write to Santa and make sure you get an extra lump or two of extra special Aussie coal.
Regards
Peter
Hi! Anna. Thank you for the complement. It didn't really take me long. It just flowed out, so to speak. My long term memories are pretty good. The formatting took longer than normal. I've got a long way to go before I master the formatting code that goes on behind blogger blogs.
Now! Hmmm! You have given me a thought. I'll start researching the three stages of a woman's life. That would be interesting.
I'm the eldest of three brothers and one sister. The very youngest is my brother, who I gave the nick name of "wormy" when we were just kids. He only reminded me of this just recently.
The age difference between us is twelve years. My regret here, which I realise is not my fault, is that we never got to know each other as most brothers should; with me being the eldest and him being the baby of the family.
It's only been in recent years that we are spending more time together, which I appreciate immensely. Still got a long way to go but I'm trying my best.
Thank you again for sharing your memories and may our families live long and prosper.
Take Care - Santa Anna!
Peter
Hi Peter,
I want to thank you for the comment you made on my blog.Nice post you got. It has also brought back happy memories of my past when both my parents are still alive.
You have a wonderful family in your childhood and your children are surely proud of you.
Merry Christmas.
Hi! Pmonchet. It was great reading your post about wonderful family memories. I thank you for your visit and heart warming comment. All the best to you and your family. I also wish you a Merry Christmas!
Regards
Peter
Peter, It's me again. I forgot to mention to you that my second eldest child is taking up Nursing Education and she is now on her 3rd Year. 1 year short of getting her college diploma.
If you won't mind, May I add your site on my blogroll?
Hi! Pmonchet, that's fantastic news about your daughter. Congratulations to you and your daughter. Of course you can add me! Thank You!
Hi Peter, I of course still believe in Santa, beautiful post and well writen, reminds me of the other 3 stages of a mans's life, 1: My Dad can take your Dad; 2: Ahh Dad you don't know nothing; 3: My Daddy used to say.
Hi! Bob. You made me laugh as I read your 3 stages.
Your comment brings to mind what my father used to say (all the time) and do when I was just a kid: 1. Got any washing 2. Cleaned my face with the tip of his handkerchief coated in spit 3. I've won another golf ball (I think his cupboard is full of them).
Thank you for your humorous comment and have a great Christmas.
All the Best!
Peter
Is it better to give than receive? I think so. I love to pick out gifts for my friends and loved one and watch their faces light up when they open them.
Hi! Lisa. I usually pick out presents that I'd like to have myself.
Besides the glee on their faces when they open the gift, I love the rush that I get when I'm met by their joy!
Thank you for your visit and great comment. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Regards
Peter
Hi Peter, and Bob, I have to sneak a comment between two of you - '2. Cleaned my face with the tip of his handkerchief coated in spit' - I thought that only my dad did this, lol, and to add to this I think I had everyone else cleaning my face, my grandmother, my mother, and thank God that was it, lol. Anna :)
The three stages of a woman's life - it will be cool to see the results on this one coming from the guy, lol.
I am second oldest, and I have good relationship with my youngest brother (only brother) too, I guess since he is studing engineering in college, we have somthing is common and its like over again being at school for me. Over the years everyone been telling him you don't study you don't do that, your marks are low, but no body actually look into why. So I have decided to work with him closely and start him on the right track, my theory worked - build the foundation at the beginning and the rest will rise with no problems. He is doing fine, mind you going from failing to 75% average student.
I better run, got some work to do and I will talk to you later. Anna :)
Hi! Anna. I thought my father was the only one who ever did this. Where did they get this idea from? I think their parents must have done it to them as well!
As for the three stages of a womens life, I think I would cop some flack if I tried that one.
I believe your great relationship with your brother was the key to him becoming a better student.
I know with my kids, if they had a teacher they did not get on with, their results would be poor.
Thank you for visiting again. It has been fun!!
Regards
Peter
You are a great dad. I like christmas too, every year since i born, my father will definetely bring me to the Hotel Lobby where every year there will be a santa claus sitting over there for us to hug and kiss him and take photo. Now, to me Christmas is not because of the winter (eventhough Malaysia dont have winter), santa, or presents ... it is about my childhood memories and my relationship with my parent. Thx for this sharing it make me remember back my childhood. From www.henrychiah.com
Hi! Henry. To be blunt, I could have done a better job.
I believe sharing great memories such as yours, not only brightens your day up, but ours as well. So, thank you for that.
Your dad, by the sounds of things, is a "Great Dad" and I'm very happy for you.
Just once in my life I would like to experience a "White Christmas". Unfortunately for us here in Sydney Australia, it's going to be a hot and rainy.
Christmas also reminds me of my childhood days many moons ago and I hope my children will have the same happy memories such as yours.
I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Take Care!
Peter
Hi there.
I love your writing. It's very thoughtful and often quite tender.
I grew up in a large family so giving was scarce at times so we never really got into the commercial aspect of Christmas.
It's nice to see there are other folks who still understand there's more to the Holiday then shopping. (This coming from someone who has a shopping website!)
I do love to give more than receive. I like meaningful gifts and I despise clutter so I feel bad if someone gives me something that I know won't fit my life.
I try hard to match the gift with the person's personality so it's meaningful.
Merry Christmas to you, your family and your readers.
Mickie @ StyleSwag.com
Hi! Mickie. Thank you. There are 7 in our family and on the wife’s side there were 11 all up until her parents passed away. So we know how you feel unless you have more!
I didn’t start giving nice presents until I started earning a proper wage at 18. Prior to that when I was just a wee lad all the money I had came from soft drink bottle refunds and loose change that I found around phone boxes and that didn’t last long. Once I took into account my normal day-to-day expenses of buying lollies etc there wasn’t much left to buy lavish gifts.
Growing up at home with mum and dad, our family were more into having large family get togethers than spending large amounts on gifts. When it’s all said and done presents are great but memories last far longer.
Now when I buy a gift for someone it’s usually something I would like to have for myself.
My wife gave me my Christmas present early. It’s a fantastic camera and I will be using it for my blog. I’m still trying to work out how to use.
My wish for next Christmas is a GPS device to prevent me from getting lost and having to stop for directions. If you know what I mean! Ho! Ho!
I wish you all the best with your business. I also wish you, your family and your readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Take Care!
Peter
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