The Empty Well of January Friday, January 15, 2021 @ 8:59 AM With the Christmas season over, I feel relatively safe with the following disclosure: I was about 10 years old when my cousin told me that a certain crimson-clad holiday figure may or may not be real. At first, I was resilient in my rejection of her theory. It couldn’t possibly be true. But I soon grew up, understanding that some things are simply tradition and nothing more. I still played along for the younger cousins, but a shift took place in my mind. I no longer believed in the magic. Every year, around the beginning of December, I’m reminded that millions of children still believe in the magic, and I understand that tradition and holiday stories are fun for children.