There is a Santa Claus, and his name is Nicolas Bédard
It’s the time of year when the age-old question is asked all over the world: “Do you believe in Santa Claus?”
He has different names in many countries and cultures: Santa Claus, Kriss Kringle, Père Noël, among others.
Here in the little Eastern Townships town of Granby, at a place called Centre L’Envolée, his name just happens to be Nicolas Bédard. Nicolas and his small group of elves (if you will) run a small factory, of sorts, that gives gifts to people all over the province. These gifts are not totally new; they are rebuilt, strengthened, repaired and strong.
L’Envolée is a place for recovering drug and alcohol addicts. It is much like the North Pole here. We are secluded from society for a period of three to six months and given a chance to change our patterns that lead to our addictions. I myself have been here for four months. The change I have noticed in myself is immense, but what I see happening to the others around me is why I’m writing this letter.
In the past 120 days, I have watched Nicolas and his elves provide us the tools of change, and bring out our emotions that allow us to feel like normal people again, people who can return to society as active members, to their families, friends and communities. Through the different stages of change, we are tested on our strengths as well as our weaknesses and given back the ability to be a changed person.
Change is not easy, and it happens at different paces for different people. I have watched Nicolas get personally involved in getting people to a place in their life where they can go back into their community as strong, confident and sober individuals. I have watched his kindness, his toughness and his caring ways guide us to a place of comfort. I have watched his compassion for error and his ability to give second and third chances to people — to let them know it is OK to make mistakes.
I have seen very young guys show up here and in no time evolve into men. I have seen older guys arrive feeling broken, beaten and defeated, and in a short period of time start to walk upright with a sense of pride. I have watched families, friends and loved ones visit and recognize the support their loved ones are receiving.
This year, Santa Claus is bringing the gift of change to an unlikely group of characters who, without Nicolas, might be lost or forgotten.
So the answer to the age-old question is: Yes, he does exist, and his name is Nicolas Bédard.
And we at the Centre L’Envolée, and its past residents, want to say:
Merry Christmas, and thank you to Nicolas and his elves.