December 3, 2008

• Dear Santa

  Dear Santa,

  It has been many years since I last wrote to you.  I hope you still remember me.  I know if you check your archives you’ll still find some of my letters.  Perhaps you’re wondering why I’m writing to you after such a gap.  I know I am way past the age limit.  By the way, your jovial image is almost everywhere now.  They seem to show up earlier and earlier now.  Although I have a feeling you would be disappointed if you see them everywhere.

  You know, Christmas was really fun when I was a wee lad.  My brother, sister,  mom and I would decorate the Christmas tree together.  Mom would handle the more delicate decorations.  We each had our own section and task.  Since dad was always at work, we gave him one task when he came home.  He would put the angel or the star at the top.  All those decorations, lights, the fake snow and the tree captivated my imagination for several weeks.  The excitement would slowly build in the days leading to Christmas.  Family and friends would drop by for dinners.  The kitchen always seemed to be a beehive of activity.  Mom and dad never ceased to remind me that you always knew if I was naughty or nice.  It was so tough sleeping the night before Christmas.    No matter how hard I tried though, I never could stay up all night to welcome you.  My dad always said if you knew I was waiting, you would not show up.  Christmas morning was an explosion of frantic playing accompanied by glees of laughter.  It was better than any candy I’ve tasted, better than the best cartoons, or comics and all the games I’ve played.  It was simply magic.   

  The hardest thing was taking down the Christmas tree in January.  We knew that it would be a year before you showed up again.  To a child, a year felt like 2 school years… maybe even longer.

  Santa – for Christmas this year, can you visit the child in me again?  I’m not a Grinch or a Scrooge.  I mean, if they can convert over from the “dark side”, surely I could too.  It’s just that I want to know you still exist even as the ice caps are melting.   I know Christmas is not about gifts.  It’s about giving and thinking of others.  It’s about family, friends and rekindling those bonds.  It’s about putting others first.  But I just don’t feel it.  I just need some reassurance that you’re still here even in these tough times.  I want to know you still remember us even if we haven’t written to you in such a long time.  I just want a sign or a spark.  I think I can take it from there.    

  So on your way home from visiting all those brats kids, just pop by my condo.  I’ll have some good scotch out for you.  Perhaps you care for some pate, cheese, crackers or some wine instead?   All those milk and cookies – they can’t be good for your health. 

  Yours sincerely,

   Matt

   P.S.  Best regards to Mrs. Claus and the elves.
  

  • 10:17 PM
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