Writer’s letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

It’s me again. Yeah, I know I’m a bit old to be writing to you, but it’s a tradition and I’m not ready to break it yet.

In all honesty there’s nothing I really want or need this Christmas – not for myself anyway. I can afford to get what I need and pretty much everything I want. Fortunately, though, I don’t have many wants.

I considered being silly but decided against it. This isn’t the season for a lot of silliness, though it should be the season for togetherness and happiness. In the end, I decided not to ask for anything for myself.

However, there’s a few things I’d like to see others get or have. I would like for everyone to have a warm, dry roof over their heads with enough to eat and plenty of clean water. I know there are people in this community who don’t have these things and need them.

I would like for everyone to have access to affordable health care so they can see doctors when they’re under the weather and don’t have to wait till they’re on death’s door and go to an emergency room. I realize this is outside your purview, but it’s my holiday wish.

Funny, I keep hearing how you only work one day a year, Santa, but those who think this don’t understand how things work. My question is, do you ever get to take a day off now and then? I know you have plenty to keep you busy, what with obtaining supplies, manufacturing toys, making sure the elves and reindeer are properly cared for, checking the naughty list twice, keeping the sleigh in top shape and checking with all your informants on a regular basis to make sure the naughty/nice list is constantly up to date.

These things take a lot of time and don’t just happen. I want you to know I understand exactly how hard you work to do your job.

I feel sorry for those who say you don’t exist, St. Nick, because their lives have so much less magic in them. I still believe because I still believe in magic (and there are those who will find this funny, but they don’t understand the different kinds of magic that exist). If they want to laugh, it’s fine, I don’t mind. The world would be a darker and colder place without this magic, and it’s plenty dark and cold now.

Well, Kris, I’ll sign off for now. And, I’ll be waiting to hear the jingle of the sleigh bells on Christmas Eve (I’ve never been able to sleep that night for some reason). It’s hard for me to say if I’ve been naughty or nice. I’ve tried to be good at my job, but some people say that makes me naughty. Others, though, say it makes me nice. I’ll leave it up to you to decide.

Yours,

John