Dear Santa,

Guess you thought I was not going to write this year? (Ha, ha, gotcha!) I just want to let you know that I’m still around. What I want for Christmas is a new Apple iPad. What else is there to want – that will fit under a Christmas tree, I mean?

It is suppose to be cool to ask for stuff for others, stuff like Peace on Earth. People keep asking, but we never seem to get it, so we might as well scratch it off the list. It is too bad that a simple thing like peace has to be so tangled up in politics.

Not only can the nations of the world not get along, but even the Republicans and Democrats can’t seem to agree. I’ve about had it will all of them. Maybe you could bring us a different Congress, one with some sense, if there is such a thing.

Some people just dream of a White Christmas. That seems simple, but I’m not sure if weather is your department. You will probably want to pass this request along to Old Man Winter or Mother Nature and let them make the decision. If this global warming thing continues, we will soon not have snow anywhere, except for the places they create it artificially so people can ski.

I read in the paper that a lot of kids are not getting anything at all. Some parents are out of work. Jobs, Santa, More jobs! Sprinkle a few of those around wherever they are needed. And may I remind you that android tablets are on sale, so take care of those kids and don’t let them go without a Christmas.

There are always disaster victims, like the sad families whose children were killed in earthquakes. If you could bring them a bit of joy and a smile or two to help, I know they would appreciate it. As for the wildfire victims, I have no idea what they need – everything, I guess. I would say donate some money to the Red Cross and let them figure it out. They are good with disaster recovery.

Let me see, that is peace, poverty, politics and disaster. Sounds like a pretty big list for a person who only wanted an iPad. I should probably be sending this list to God instead of you. We can’t expect Santa to do the impossible. Just because you can make reindeer fly, doesn’t mean you have answers for everything and can make social problems magically go away.

I’m afraid people are the ones who made these problems and people are the ones who have to resolve them. I think we need to worry more about giving than getting. One person can’t do much, but if everyone did a little, we could accomplish a great deal.

Thanks, Santa, for helping me sort all of this out. Maybe you are a smarter old elf than I thought you were. Goodbye until next year, Santa. I have to write a check to the Red Cross and take some toys to the Salvation Army.

Oh, by the way, I was just kidding about the iPad. Please don’t bring me anything. I have everything I need.

Merry Christmas!

Copyright 2002 Sheila Moss