Is Santa Real?

Santa… is the big guy up North a real dude?

Shoutout to my 3rd grade self finding presents in the back closet that said “To: Danny From: Santa” on December 21st and sadly answering this question for myself 20 years ago.

Bummer.

Yeah, maybe there isn’t some 285-pounder that could likely play tackle for the Patriots this weekend with all of the injuries we have chomping on some double chocolate chip cookies that are perfectly hard on the bottom with a soft middle with a glass of milk operating the world’s most efficient manufacturing assembly line of toys.

BUT I believe in the idea of St. Nick. He’s got an aura, as the kids say.

There’s a certain special magic about Mr. Claus that you just can’t describe.

I ain’t a religious man at all, but you gotta believe in his ability to make dreams come true.

Because if you don’t believe, you won’t actually see it, you won’t feel his presence if you don’t really dive into the character of Santa and what he stands for.

Every year around this time I get in my feels.

It’s about mid-December, and I start to think…

I think about my family and how lucky I am to have them around (yeah, even you Caroline despite you being a pathetic example to the Healey name coming in last place in our Fantasy Football league for the second year in just three seasons of the league when I’m sitting here in TWO fantasy championships (one HS league, one college), which I have accomplished in both leagues for the second straight year.

Does that happen without magic and belief? Actually, yes it does, because I put in the fricken work in the offseason to continue to get better at fantasy. George Kittle’s ankle injury and Rashee Rice’s QB situation are going to give me an aneurysm, but I digress. Sorry fantasy ball really gets me going.

But look at these two little boogers.

I think about my lady friend, who I moved into an apartment with a few months ago and how lucky I am. She got me Shane Gillis stand up tickets for Christmas. How much does that rock?

Gotta believe to find someone like that!

I think about my friends and all the ridiculously fun things I got to experience. Whether that be on a golf course, at a Boston pub sucking down a Guinness, skiing, or screaming Drake Maye’s name at the holy grail of Gillette Stadium.

I think about work and how fortunate I am to work at Shadow Lion on all the exciting projects we have going on. Truly, every day there has been a blast the last few months. Yes, even with The Quick Snap fellas. Hoyer legit got me coal for Xmas…

I’m writing this Diary on a plane from Boston to Marco Island, Florida slamming Kenny Chesney’s Christmas country album (bangers only) just thinking about all the above.

You gotta believe to make those types of dreams come true.

So, thank you Santa Claus. Thank you for allowing me to dream.

Battling the 20-year trauma of learning that you might not be a physical human being has been tough. But I can finally understand that you’re more than a cookie eating machine.

You’re a symbol of hope.

If you think you’re a self-appointed Grinch. Lighten up. Go watch the movie. Even green smelly Jim Carey starts to believe in Santa at the end of the movie.

If you’re feeling unlucky in life recently. Just start to believe.

Go to bed on this beautiful Christmas Eve and paint a vision for yourself 2026.

Change the narrative and go fly that sleigh.

Merry Christmas everybody!

Speaking of believing… HOW BOUT DEM PATRIOTS!!!

My NFL Power Rankings - Post Week 16

Super Bowl Contenders

1. Los Angeles Rams

2. Buffalo Bills

3. New England Patriots

4. Seattle Seahawks

5. Green Bay Packers

6. Los Angeles Chargers

7. Denver Broncos

Frisky Playoff Squads

8. San Francisco 49ers

9. Philadelphia Eagles

10. Jacksonville Jaguars

11. Houston Texans

12. Chicago Bears

13. Pittsburgh Steelers

Good but falling short

14. Detroit Lions

15. Baltimore Ravens

16. Dallas Cowboys

17. Cincinnati Bengals

18. Kansas City Chiefs

Fringe Good

19. Carolina Panthers

20. Tampa Bay Bucs

21. Indianapolis Colts

Interesting but not good

22. Arizona Cardinals

23. Minnesota Vikings

24. Atlanta Falcons

25. New York Giants

Really Bad Football Teams

26. New Orleans Saints

27. Miami Dolphins

28. Cleveland Browns

29. Washington Commanders

30. New York Jets

31. Las Vegas Raiders

32. Tennessee Titans