Mulan,
Of course Santa is real.
I am almost 43 years old and I have a friend who is in his Fifties. Two decades ago we became friends, he has pulled my feet from the fire on more than one occasion. I have stood by him when he's had troubles as best as I've been able.
When he was two he was separated from his mother, and he was raised by his grandparents. He recalls happy christmasses from his child hood, turkey and cookies, presents under the tree, from his gramma and grampa, uncles, aunts, and always one "from Santa". He was about six or seven when he figured out it wasn't really from Santa, it was from his mom.
When he was fourteen, the family situation had changed, and he was reunited with his mother, step-dad, and now, five step-sisters. Now he got presents "from Mom" and "from Dad" but always still a little gift "from Santa" which he knew was from his mother, but it was kept as an unspoken secret between them.
After he moved out on his own, he still went home for every christmas day, and after moving three time zones away, he still flew home for every christmas, and still found some small gift "from Santa" under the tree, even when he'd turned fifty. And he cherishes the sentiment that gift represented.
This year, his mother got sick, and died. He was at her side through her last weeks. He was capped and gowned in the OR as they tried to help her. He was holding her hand when she finally rested.
So now he faces the first christmas he can remember without the prospect of a gift "from Santa".
But I am certain that Santa will somehow pull through for my friend, and sneak a small gift under the tree for him. After all, I've read Santa's list...
Eric