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A question many parents dread

 

My daughter Jennifer was taking her older son Jack, 10, to school recently and, as he got out of the car, he asked a question that worries many parents at this time of year.  His question -- "Is Santa real?"

Jen didn't have a simple answer, so she said it was complicated and she'd tell him when he got home from school.  She thought about it and wrote down her thoughts in a beautiful letter that I'm sharing below, with Jen's permission.

An interesting side note... Jen is Jewish and her husband Jon is Christian.  The boys, Jack and his brother Gabriel, 6, are being raised with traditions from both faiths.  Not necessarily the religious dogma, but traditions like lighting the menorah on Chanukah, having matzoh for Passover and, of course, at this time of year decorating the Christmas tree and waiting for Santa.

I am so proud of my daughter for expressing her thoughts so beautifully and helping keep alive a beautiful tradition that makes this time of year magical for so many people -- especially children.  Wouldn't it be nice if in this way we could all retain our inner child?

Here's Jen's note to my grandson Jack...

 

Dear Jack,

You asked a really good question earlier and I didn’t have time to answer it then. It is a question I knew was coming sooner than later, and I had a feeling it might come around this Christmas. It is a question that parents all over the word have to face at some time, and it is bittersweet. So I came home and gave it some serious thought and here is my answer to your question, “Is Santa real?”

Yes and no. Your image of Santa, as a big, fat, jolly man in a red suit and a beard, flying all over the world in s sleigh, is not real. You are a smart kid and you probably have questioned for some time how that could be possible. The presents under the tree that are from Santa are in fact from Daddy and I, and we fill the stockings too. After you and your brother go to sleep on Christmas Eve, Daddy and I are hard at work, sneaking quietly to make Christmas magical- just like Grammy and Poppy did for Daddy, and their parents did for them.

And that is where the other part of the answer comes in- Santa may not be real in the way you thought, but the spirit of him is a real part of Christmas. The story of Santa has been around for hundreds of years and the magic his story creates for children is a beautiful thing. And for adults too! I know that Santa is not real in an actual sense, but I still believe in his spirit as a grown up. I still feel the beauty and magic and love on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, even though I know the truth. And I hope you will too.

Santa teaches love and magic, and hope and happiness. He creates the ability to believe that anything is possible, that there are miracles in the world, and that giving to others freely is the surest way to fill your heart- and theirs- with joy.

So while now you may know that Santa himself isn’t sneaking down our chimney at night, I sincerely hope that you can still believe in the magic and beauty of his story. I hope that Christmas still feels special for you and that one day, you will make the Santa story come alive for your own children.

Learning about Santa is a big step in growing up. I have to admit, I shed a tear or two writing this as there is a certain part of childhood you are leaving behind. But here is the neat thing: you now get to be a creator of this magic, a helper, and elf, if you will. It is important to let each child realize the Santa story on their own, or the magic can be ruined. You are now a guardian of Santa- like Daddy and I have been for you. You must keep his story alive for those that still believe, like your brother and your friends. It is a really big responsibility but one that you must take seriously. You can now help spread the love and the belief in miracles and the magic of Santa- you are now on his team, as Daddy and I have been for all the Christmas mornings you can remember. Welcome.

You may have more questions, and I am happy to answer them. Or you may just need to let this sit for a while. Just know that while the Santa you see at the mall surely is not real, the love and generosity and spirt of kindness and giving that he instills in people is very real and very important. Be sure to carry the Santa story with you in your heart forever.

With love and respect, as you grow up--

Mama

 

 

My Pal Loki

 

He's been our good friend for almost 14-1/2 years... a very good run for a big dog.

And today we had to say goodbye to him. 

My heart is broken ... it hurts so much. 

But we have so many fun things to think of that will always keep our pal Loki alive in our hearts forever.  His love for his puppy pal Delia, who he's now playing with in dog heaven.  His walks through Hunts Woods and dunking in the stream, even on the most frigid days.  Running on the big lawn in Harpswell and going down to the beach to swim and scavenge for food.  Standing by me at mealtime, barking for me to share my meal with him.  Riding in the convertible catching the wind as the breeze blew his ears and jowls, spraying drool all over us. Rolling over for belly rubs.  Looking out the window from his favorite perches -- his chair in our bedroom or on the steps so he could see through the front door window.  Waking up to find him snuggled between us with his head on the pillow.  Greeting me in the morning with endless kisses. 

And so much more...

We'll miss it all, but we'll always remember our Loki.

 

 

Bragging

 

Proud to say my filmmaker son Michael is mentioned in Rolling Stone for a video he just shot for rocker Ryan Adams.  The piece features mistress-of-the-dark Elvira, who Michael said is really sweet.

Here's a link to the article...

 

and here's the video ...   (Give it a moment.  It might take a few seconds or more to load.)

Enjoy.

 

  

Passover

 

It's as much a rite of spring as seeing the first robin or going to the Auto Show.

Passover is when Jews stop to recall the days of slavery under the Pharoah in Egypt, and the seder, done at home followed by a meal, retells the story.

We can't eat bread for a week, but matzoh's not bad.  And matzoh is used in lots of traditional eastern European Jewish cooking, like chicken soup with matzoh balls and matzoh brei -- essentially a matzoh version of French toast.

So many of us will be at a seder tonight and, for some, tomorrow nightas well. We won't be eating bread and many other foods, but we'll be chowing down on lots of other yummy "kosher for Passover" goodies.

A zissen Pesach... a sweet Passover.

A New Year

 

Rosh HaShana, the Jewish New Year, begins tonight.  It's not like the secular New Year, with parties and noisemakers and drinks. 

Instead, for Jews around the world, the Holidays are a time to reflect -- a time of thanks and of self-assessment.  We thank God for all the wonderful things He's given us and for Life itself.  And we look at how we've behaved over the past year and where we've made mistakes.  We ask God for forgiveness and for help and guidance to do better in the coming year.

In the end, it's very simply about doing the right thing -- treating others the way you would like to be treated.  After all the symbolism and tradition, that's really what it boils down to.  And that's what we all should strive for every day -- not only on the Holidays.

To all, no matter what your beliefs may be, best wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful Year.   

L'shana tova.  (Hebrew for "To a good year.")          

 

originally posted Sept. 17, 2009... About the photo:  Apples dipped in honey is the Ashkanazic traditional way to usher in what we hope will be "a sweet year."

 

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Passover

It's as sure a sign of spring as the first robin... Passover.  It's when Jews recall the days of slavery under the Pharoah in Egypt, and the seder, done at home followed by a meal, retells the story.

We can't eat bread for a week, but matzoh's not bad.  And matzoh is used in lots of traditional eastern European Jewish cooking, like chicken soup with matzoh balls and matzoh brei -- essentially a matzoh version of French toast.

So many of us will be at a seder tonight and tomorrow night. We won't be eating bread and many other foods, but we'll be chowing down on lots of other yummy "kosher for Passover" goodies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matzoh brei -- It tastes better than it looks... really.

 

 

 

 

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How you can be a Hollywood mogul

Note: See Feb. 22 Update below ...

You can be a Hollywood mogul.

Well, maybe not a mogul, but here's a chance to help a Hollywood 
"newcomer" who's been in the film business for more than 10 years 
break through to the next step.

My son Michael spent several years creating and directing music 
videos for some top bands …Brazilian Girls, The 88, The Shins, and 
many more.  His music video reel shows a wide variety of video 
styles ranging from slick to funky underground.  And he often injects 
a sly sense of humor into his work.

He formed a production company a year ago with a few friends, and 
his Normal TV has been keeping busy on a variety of projects 
including filming and post-production for a cable reality series.  He's
also developing a TV series, with the personal input and assistance 
of an Oscar-winning actress whose name you'd know. 

His longtime goal, however, has been to write and direct a feature 
film.  He wrote a screenplay for a feature a few years ago and now 
he's scraped up around $35,000 -- enough money to get it started.  
He needs around $15,000 more to get the project done the way he 
envisions it, and he went to Kickstarter – a site that many film-
makers, artists, musicians and entrepreneurs use to crowdsource 
funding.  

His Kickstarter page is shown below, and on it Michael tells about 
his film, where the inspiration came from and how you can help him
get it made.
 

He just learned, by the way, that a shorter version of the film, which 
he made a while back, has been selected for screening at the South 
by Southwest Festival in Austin next month.  That's a big deal. 

Please, check out Michael's Kickstarter page and give whatever you 
can.  Payments can be made by credit card through Amazon, 
which is a safe and secure site.  

For as little as five bucks, you can be part of Hollywood cinema
history.  (Or, at least, you can help a struggling young filmmaker 
realize his dream.)

And you'll have my sincere appreciation.


Update Feb. 22...  Michael's project is now fully 
funded, thanks to the generosity of so many of 
my friends and readers. I appreciate your 
confidence and your support of his project so 
very much.  

Michael begins shooting on March 4th.  
I'll be sure to keep you updated.  Thanks again.

David

Happy Thanksgiving...

from 

New York City

A New Year

 

 

Rosh HaShana, the Jewish New Year, begins tonight.  It's not like the secular New Year, with parties and noisemakers and drinks. 

Instead, for Jews around the world, the Holidays are a time to reflect -- a time of thanks and of self-assessment.  We thank God for all the wonderful things He's given us and for Life itself.  And we look at how we've behaved over the past year and where we've made mistakes.  We ask God for forgiveness and for help and guidance to do better in the coming year.

In the end, it's very simply about doing the right thing -- treating others the way you would like to be treated.  After all the symbolism and tradition, that's really what it boils down to.  And that's what we all should strive for every day -- not only on the Holidays.

To all, no matter what your beliefs may be, best wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful Year.              

 

originally posted Sept. 17, 2009

Weekend Thoughts ... Boo Hoo!

Surveys show Halloween spending will be down this year

 

I heard a story on the radio this morning about a consumer survey asking about spending plans for Halloween.  Overall, about 55 percent of respondents plan to trim their spending this year on Halloween costumes, decorations and candy.  A third said they will spend less on store-bought costumes, and 12 percent said they will make their own costumes this year.

When I was a kid, almost everyone made his own costume -- usually with help from Mom.  It was unusual, in my neighborhood anyway, to see kids wearing store-bought outfits other than, perhaps, a mask. 

I remember the fun of making our own outfits.  It was a project that took an evening or two as the holiday approached.  And it was like a state secret; we never told our friends how we planned to dress up.

I recall two Halloweens in particular where the costume was memorable.  One year, I dressed as a girl, with my Mom's help.  My parents had a children's clothing store at the time, and Mom brought home a wig from one of the window mannequins.  She plopped the wig on my head, put on makeup and lipstick and put a bra under the blouse she had loaned me, and filled it with two oranges.  None of my friends had a clue it was me, until I opened my mouth to say "Trick or Treat."

The other home-made outfit that I remember was a robot.  I got an empty carton from the local hardware store and decorated it with all sorts of dials and knobs.  I covered the whole thing with tin foil, and I cut out holes for my head, arms and legs.  I decorated a paper bag for my head with foil, and had cut-outs so I could see.  

It was spectacular. 

But on Halloween night, I ran into a problem.  I hadn't thought to measure the carton, and when I tried to get out the apartment door, I got stuck.  I had to get out of the outfit, pull it through the door and get back in.  But I couldn't go through that every time I had to go through another doorway in the apartment complex where I lived.  I ended up going home, putting on a tattered shirt and rubbing some shoe polish on my face to look like a hobo.

When my kids were little, we got away with home-made outfits.  But once they were in school, they had to have store-bought outfits like all their classmates.

Halloween costumes are a very big business these days  -- about $6 billion, according to the National Retail Federation.  But to me, it's not about the $20 or $30 (or a lot more) that the costume costs, but rather the fun and creativity and family togetherness of making it yourself from scratch.  That's priceless.

Have a happy and safe Halloween.