The Truth About Santa Claus

Well, it finally happened. This morning my 9-year-old son, Jake, approached me in a very serious frame of mind.
"Dad," he said, "I want to talk about something."
"Of course, son. What’s up?"
"It’s something my friend Riley told me at school. But you have to promise you won’t tell Riley’s mommy or daddy, or Riley will get in trouble."
"Well….. okay, son. But only if it won’t harm Riley in any way."
Jake gave me an earnest look, nodded, and then he said it.
"Santa’s not real."

"…..really?"
"Really. Riley said so. Riley’s mom actually writes Santa’s name on stuff."
"You don’t say."
"Do you do that, dad?"
"No. No I do not."
"Does mom?"
"Would it matter if she did?"
"I guess so. I don’t know."
“Listen, son. Let me explain something about Santa. Santa is something you choose. It is up to you - it is up to each of us - to decide whether or not Santa will be a part of Christmas. Some people decide against it. It sounds like Riley has decided not to include Santa in his Christmas, and that makes me a little sad, son. As for me, Santa has played a large role in Christmas my entire life. Because that’s the way I want it to be. That is the choice I have made, and I have never once regretted that decision. Christmas is my favorite day of the year, probably BECAUSE Santa is always a part of it.
"But you will have to make your own choice about it, son. And don’t worry - whatever choice you make will be the right one. Christmas will remain Christmas. You just get to decide whether YOUR Christmas will have Santa Claus in it.
"So if you are asking me 'Is Santa real?’, the answer is: If you want him to be."
"Thanks, dad."
"You’re welcome, son."