Wrangler and elwood learn the true magic of Santa...

So yesterday I told y'all about Paulina and Poppy and how Paulina got really down on herself when she made a mistake, so I explained to her that mistakes happen all the time and that nobody's perfect. Well, as I mentioned in that post, the girls had two older brothers, Wrangler and Elwood, both aged 16. The notes from their mother read "I'm sure you can imagine their excitement about getting their picture taken with Santa :) Lucky for me, they're good sports."

Clearly I had a couple of non-believers. I thought that I would have a chat with them about that and see if I couldn't help them gain a little perspective. So, after talking to Paulina (you can see that story in yesterday's blog post) I asked her and her sister if they would like a candy cane, and after they emphatically said "yes," I told them to go ahead and get a candy cane and let me talk to their brothers for a second. And with that they hopped down and I turned to the boys.

Me: I want to thank you two fellas for being such good sports and not mucking this up for your sisters. It's really great that you did this to let them continue to believing in the magic of Santa.

Boys: You're welcome, Sir.
Me: But I gotta say that I'm a little hurt that you two don't believe I exist. 
Boys chuckle a little.
Me: I mean, I know that you exist because unless I'm having some kind of messed up hallucinogenic event, you're standing right in front of me and we're talking. And by that logic you know that I exist because I'm sitting right here talking to you and getting your sisters all hopped up on sugar!
Boys giggle a bit.
Me: But if you have any doubts as to the magic of Santa, and I feel like you do, I want you two to do something. I want you to find someone either in your neighborhood, or your church, or your community, or school or wherever. Doesn't matter. Just find someone who needs something that you can provide. Could be helping a crotchety old neighbor with something, or maybe spending time getting to know a kid at school who doesn't have any friends, or maybe you come across someone who needs food or a coat or something. Doesn't have to be anything big or even cost any money for that matter. Just find someone with an actual need that you are able to provide. Then, I want you to make sure that they get whatever it is that helps fill that need; and here's the important part: do your best to make sure that they never find out it came from you! Now, you do that and then come back and tell me Santa's magic ain't real! Think you two young men can handle that?
Boys: Yes, Sir!
Me: Alright then. Go get yourselves a candy cane and have a merry Christmas.

As they got their candy canes, went back to their family, and all walked away, I heard their father ask them what I had said. Not two seconds later I saw their father come back around the corner and say, "Thank you. I mean it. Thank you." To which I replied, "It is sincerely my pleasure, Sir."