A teenaged girl writes out her thoughts and Christmas wishes to the Jolly Old Elf, even though she is way past the age of believing in Santa Claus.
Saturday, December 6, 2003~
Dear Santa Claus:
I am 14 and 1/2 years old (I will be 15 in about three months from now, in March), and I know I am way past the age of believing, but I decided to write you a letter anyway, to show you that in a tiny, remote way, I STILL do believe in you.
I know that the real meaning of Christmas means Jesus was born to save mankind from sins; and I know that the real meaning of Christmas is the love inside your heart; and that the tradition of giving gifts was started by the Three Wise Men as they brought their gold, frankencense, and myrrh to the Baby King; but it is still nice to believe in the notion of a very kindly old man bringing gifts to all the good little boys and girls. To believe in Santa means innocence and not worrying about the troubles in this world; and in a way, I still wish I were a little kid. Being a teenager is fraught with worry and/or problems, and I don't like worrying about my family or the world all of the time!
But since I AM writing you a letter, I will now let you know what I want for Christmas. Here goes:
First of all, Santa, I want nothing but happiness and good health for my family, particularly my brothers and sisters who have special health needs. Some of them are so sick, and some (Johnny and Rhiannon) are dying; and not much can be done to prevent their deaths from happening. They are so young; yet, they suffer horribly, and each time they get sick, I always get so scared, especially when an ambulance has to be called, on account of them getting sick! Also, my sister, Ronee': she has so much pain, and all she wants is one day without pain. I hear her at night, moaning in pain, and it breaks my heart, each and every time! If you could just bring a smile or some hope to Johnny and Rhiannon or some relief from Ronee's pain, I would be forever indebted to you, Santa!
Secondly, I would like a new cat. My kitten ran away over the summer, and he was hit by a car. I didn't know where "Jacques" was for three days, but then, on the third day, I was riding my bike, delivering the newspapers, like I do every day, when I found a dead animal on the road a few blocks from my house; and when I got closer, I was horrified to find the small, still, grey, furry body that told me the worst: it was "Jacques". When I saw "Jacques" lying dead in the road, dried blood on his mouth, I never cried so hard; and it still chokes me up to think that some insensitive jerk didn't even bother to help the hapless kitten after he (or she) hit him!! If you can bring me a new kitten that looked similar to "Jacques", I would be soo happy!
Thirdly, I would like a new carrying case for my accordion. I play the French style accordion, like they use in Cajun music, and the carrying case I have now is pretty beat up and raggedly looking. I would also like some new reeds for my accordion; my accordion is starting to sound a tad squeaky!
Another thing I would like are some very thick and warm socks. You would think that after five years of living in Tennessee, I would get used to the cold, but noooo..I am a Cajun by birth, and I am also a Louisianian by birth, and five years later, I still freeze whenever it dips below 32 degrees, especially my feet! My feet are so sensitive to the cold, and when it gets below freezing, I get painful chilblains and blisters on my feet and toes, and they HURT!! The thicker the socks, the better; my feet can't take too much of this wintertime cold!! As long as I am on the subject of winter clothing, Santa, I would also like a new winter jacket (the one I have now is getting snug on me!), gloves, a scarf or two, and a winter hat!
Another thing I would like, Santa, are some pens and notebook paper. I do a lot of writing, and I could use some new paper and pens, especially since I am always having my pens or paper stolen by some of my brothers and sisters! They are always borrowing my pens or my paper, and half the time I never see it again, or when I do, it's all used! I get SOOO mad when they use my pens or paper without asking me first!!
I would also like some perfume; "Far and Away", by Avon, is my absolute favorite!
Well, Santa, I know this isn't much, but I really DON'T need all that much. I have more than enough, in terms of necessities, and I have many books, games, my computer, and stuff to keep me busy. I also have my music and my accordions, and I have to practice every day; that keeps me busy, too. Now add church and school to the mix, and you can just imagine how busy my life is! THEN, if all THAT were NOT enough, add 49 brothers and sisters to worry about...oh, ye' yaie!! LOL
If you can bring me ONE or maybe TWO of the items on this list, I would be forever grateful, but if not, then that is okay; I know you have an awfully lot of stops to make on your yearly journey to deliver all the gifts to all the good little boys and girls in the world. So I won't keep you longer than necessary.
Thank you for listening to an "older" child; but as I said earlier, in a way, I still DO believe in you, and I will NEVER stop! You make Christmas that more exciting, and I hope you can get me what I have asked for, especially the kitten! That is the one thing I want MOST this year..that, and the warm slippers and the winter clothes!
God bless you, Santa, and thanks again!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tennessee, Barbara Le-Anne Sandusky (aged 14 1/2).
Christmas - only days away; plastic snowmen and glowing reindeer adorn the lawns of neighborhoods all across America. All is calm, all is bright, and yet there is something tragically wrong about this Christmas night.
With swift passage thr
Christmas - only days away; plastic snowmen and glowing reindeer adorn the lawns of neighborhoods all across America. All is calm, all is bright, and yet there is something tragically wrong about this Christmas night.
With swift passage thr
Saturday, December 6, 2003~
