Introduction - This narrative is written for my great-grandson, Jack, and also for my four grandchildren. Anyone else who would like to read it is welcome. I don’t suggest that I know as much as preeminent scholars and philosophers do about the subjects discussed here. I say "To Jack" because Jack is only two years old as I write this, and I may not have the opportunity to talk with him about these things when he is old enough to understand. If some of what I have to say seems obvious to you, remember that Jack is only two; so none of this is likely to be obvious to him now. My purpose, using my experience and my background as an instructor, is to make the deliberation and analyses of these subjects more accessible and maybe more understandable to Jack and to an average person such as I am.
Each of us has a unique perspective. It is formed based on the entirety of our lives. That is to say, our experiences from the very beginning of our lives until now have combined to make us who we are and how we see the world. Our perceptions include the effects on us of countless factors including such things as: the people with whom we have been involved and who have shaped us (our partner, our parents, other family members, friends, classmates, etc.), the actions we pursue (education, occupation, sports, games, television viewing, etc.), our surroundings (culture, religion, community, etc.), and our makeup (physical attributes, intellect, race, wealth, etc.), to name just a few. Know it or not, you have your perspective. This is mine.
Why this chronicle? – My daughter Kim has encouraged me to write my autobiography; she even bought me a do-it-yourself help book to get me started. I’m not sure that the events of my life are interesting enough to put into writing. Besides, I am sure I cannot objectively recall the details of the more important experiences of my past. Besides, what I’ve done is not as important as what I’ve learned. I would like to share some of the things I’ve learned, so that you might know my perspective.
Maybe my point of view will influence you to more fully develop and be aware of your own. And perhaps by considering my opinions, whether you agree with them or not, you will arrive at a level of understanding far surpassing mine. I would like that.
My brother, Bruce, recently once again brought up the subject of my writing about my beliefs and my perspective on society and politics. He thinks I have something to share. He wants me to start a blog to get my thoughts out to a larger audience. I am not a fan of blogs, and I do not want to commit to a regular long-time conversation with so many others. So this will have to do for now. But if you want to comment on what you see here, send me an email at book@dickcorfield.com. I appreciate any insight and recommendations you might have.
During the summer of 2007 my grandson Jacob and I spent quite a bit of time together. We talked about many things, but mostly about what he believes and what I believe. It was by no means a complete account, but I know I was happy to have the time, and I know I will not have the opportunity to discuss these things in detail with the other people with whom I would like to share my opinions, so that’s why I’ve decided to take Kim’s and Bruce’s advice and put something in writing.
Most of what follows will be simply my opinion and outlook or ideas that I have learned from other people and that I think may be worth sharing. I do not suggest they are very sophisticated or original, but nonetheless, I will try to assemble them here.
I am neither a religious scholar nor philosopher, but rather, I’m just an observer. There are many scholars, both religious and not, whose works are available. Karen Armstrong, Bart Ehrman, Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, Colin McGinn, Mary Gordon, The Dalai Lama, Jack Miles, Isaac Asimov, Rick Warren and, Robert Wright, to name only a few, are people from whose work I have benefited. Since some of the things I have learned are through experience, and some are through reading or from interaction with others, I cannot always remember what I learned from others and what simply occurred to me. So if I say something that is not original to me I will try to give credit where it’s due. And if I do not give proper credit to the originator of an idea, it is only because I often do not know its origin. Just assume that I have no specifically original thoughts and you will be close to understanding the true situation. I thank those cited and unnamed sources, and I apologize to those whose contributions remain here anonymous.
Santa Claus – I remember, quite a number of years ago, when Jacob came to confide in me that he no longer believed in Santa Claus. He knew that the gifts he received at Christmas came from his parents, and not from some jolly elf that flew behind reindeer to circle the Earth on Christmas Eve and magically descend the millions of chimneys of all the good little boys and girls to deliver the goods. Jacob was old enough and wise enough at the time to know that it simply was not possible for Santa to accomplish such unbelievable things. Jacob was very cognizant that he needed to respect the fact that his little brother, Ben, still did believe, and that he should not ruin the event for Ben.
Remembering some of what I had read long ago in an article titled “Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus” by Francis P. Church, I tried to comfort Jacob. (Link - http://www.newseum.org/yesvirginia/) I assured Jacob that I understood his position. But I had some questions for him. I asked, “If there were a Santa Claus, what might he look like? Would he be heavy or thin; young or old? Would he be clean shaven or have facial hair? What color suit might he wear?”
Of course Jacob laughed. He knew the answers to all my questions. But that surely does not mean that Santa really exists…surely.
I continued… Can something exist that cannot be seen or touched? Can fun exist? Can fear, pain, anger, friendship, excitement, selfishness, courage, all exist? Can joy? Can something or someone exist only in spirit? What about my Grandpap? He died in 1960, and Jacob never knew him, but when I try, I can still feel his presence. Could his spirit still exist? How could that be possible? And if he exists for me, why doesn’t he exist for Jacob? Or does he; without Jacob’s even knowing that he does?
Could it be that Santa is a spirit? Could Santa be the spirit of joy and expectation that fills little children with exhilaration and anticipation at Christmas? Can that spirit also bring joy and excitement to the people who give gifts to the little ones? Can it be that we adults collaborate to keep Santa’s spirit alive? And I asked Jacob, “Is that good or bad?”
I wanted to help Jacob to see the benefit that Santa Claus brings to both the young children and the adults who derive joy from their different rolls in this tradition. Then I welcomed Jacob to the adult side of the magic of Santa. Jacob is quite a bit older now, but I think he really believes in Santa Claus in the way a dictionary would define “really.”
- In reality; actually: to see things as they really are.
- Genuinely or truly: a really honest man.
- Indeed: Really, this is too much.
But maybe I am merely being self-centered and am doing this so that I might exist for my grandchildren’s grandchildren. Benjamin Franklin (as Poor Richard) said: “If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing.”
I may have certain viewpoints that will affect your unique perspective. As I stated, this is simply mine.