by Theo, age 9 from Springfield, Massachusetts, asks Santa about the Grinch’s Santa disguise, the Connecticut River, and the city’s literary heritage.
Dear Santa, my name is Theo, and I am nine years old. I live in Springfield, Massachusetts, where my mom says a beloved children’s book author was born right here in our own city.
Dear Theo, a city that gave the world that much imagination and rhyme deserves a very whimsical flyover, your mom picked a truly storied hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
Does the Grinch have Santa? My little sister just watched that story for the first time and had a lot of questions.
In that story, a certain green character actually dresses up as me, Theo, sneaking around in a Santa costume of his own making. Your little sister is right to be curious, that particular tale has quite the clever twist.
My mom says Springfield sits along the Connecticut River. Is that true?
It is true, Theo, the Connecticut River flows right past your city, the longest river in all of New England. I always follow that glimmering path to help find my way to your rooftop.
My mom says the author who wrote that famous green character’s story was actually born right here in Springfield. Is that true?
It is true, Theo, that beloved children’s author was born right there in your city, and Springfield honors his memory with a wonderful sculpture garden today. That kind of hometown pride in a storyteller’s imagination is really something worth celebrating.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Theo Whitfield
Springfield, Massachusetts
P.S. Will you visit the sculpture garden if you fly by early?
Every single year, Theo, that stop is never optional.
