Shantanu Datta, a father who recently relocated to Saskatoon with his family in November 2023, shares a heartwarming story in this First Person column. To explore more First Person narratives, please refer to the FAQ page.
On a balmy Tuesday afternoon, my 11-year-old daughter surprised me with a handwritten letter.
“Baba, could you mail this for me?”
She belongs to a tech-savvy generation that seldom resorts to traditional pen-and-paper communication. After returning from school, having her meal, and retreating to her room, she approached me with the letter.
“It’s a note to Santa Claus,” she explained, addressing my puzzled expression. “I’ve expressed regret for the delay due to our recent move to Canada. However, I believe he’ll receive it promptly, given our close proximity to the North Pole and the ease of travel for the postman without snow hindrances.”
Snow, or the lack thereof, dominates our current conversations. I glanced at the lined paper, a piece torn from her practice notebook. Amidst her extensive wish-list was a plea to Santa: “Kindly bring some snow (as much as possible).”
This request transported me back to the anticipation leading up to our transition from New Delhi to Canada and our fresh start here. For my daughter, one of the most exciting prospects was experiencing a genuine snowy Christmas, distinct from the artificial “snowflakes” Indian children simulate using cotton wool.
Her perception of Canada was largely shaped by online news reports from Saskatchewan, where snowfall was observed in October as we finalized our departure from Delhi.
Additionally, Hollywood movies portraying individuals sledding, bundled in down jackets and snow boots, or engaging in Christmas Day escapades against wintry backdrops heightened her excitement. The cozy scenes of people sipping hot chocolate by crackling fires or brushing snow off their attire upon entering cozy cafes further fueled her imagination.
This picturesque depiction embodies the true essence of Christmas and New Year, doesn’t it?
How can Santa dash through snow with his reindeer if there’s no snow to begin with? Would he land his sleigh on solid ground? I envision him resorting to public transport or hailing a cab.
“How will he manage to transport numerous gifts?” questions my daughter.
The Saskatoon weather on that Tuesday afternoon swiftly brought me back to reality. It was mid-December, and the forecast hints at a snowless Christmas and potentially a snowless New Year ahead. My daughter is already clinging to hope that her fears remain unfounded and that we don’t end up purchasing cotton wool during our next grocery outing.