You may think that being Santa Claus each and every Christmas is a great way to make a living; but being a Santa Claus isn't as easy as many may make it to be.
For starters, I have to see hundreds, possibly thousands, of kids each and every Christmas season; and I am bound to get kicked, hit, bitten, or even vomited, spit, or pooped on. There are many kids who aren't that very nice, and I have had a few kids curse at me or tell me to go to "you know where". I see kids who are tired, cranky, sick, or just plain selfish; and I often wonder why I have to put up with all of this abuse year after year.
You can probably tell from what I have written so far just how hard being Santa Claus really is. It isn't an easy job by ANY stretch of the imagination; but an old guy has to make a living SOMEHOW without staying at home and going STIR CRAZY!
I have been doing this the last 10 years or so; and I love the children, but there are some of those precious children who definitely need a good spanking or time out; and there are those precious children who need a good washing of their mouths with soap for all the filth that come from their lips. It is absolutely shocking just how mean-spirited and cruel some kids can be, especiallly nowadays. And it is equally so when you see some of the children's parents; some of them act even worse than their childlren--and the children are bad enough!
Just as challenging as the bad children to me are those dear little ones who face incredible medical or personal challenges each and every day of their little lives. I remember this one particular little fellow named Johnny who was asking for kids to stop teasing him for Christmas because he was dying, and he told me he had no friends. He was in a wheelchair because he had muscular dystrophy. He appeared to be about six or so (but I later came to find out that he was actually 8 years old; this was nearly 2 years ago when I saw him), and he came up to me, tears on his little face, and his eyes mirroring much pain. It about broke my heart. It was all I could do to keep from crying. Another child I remember well was his sister, Ronee'. Ronee' was the same age as her brother, and both were adopted by the same family. Anyway, Ronee' asked for but one thing for Christmas..to stop the pain she always felt in her body. She had severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and the little one walked with crutches and leg braces; and you could just tell from the pain in her eyes just how much she was suffering. I nearly lost it then; but I knew I had to be strong for them both, so I just gave them both a huge Santa-style hug, and I told them both point blank: "Dear Children, I don't know what I can do about your problems, but I will try my best to see what I can do."
Another little girl asked for her parents to get back together (the child--her name was Ellen Rose--was going through a messy divorce), and a stout little fellow named Roy wanted his daddy to come visit him for Christmas. When I asked him where his daddy was, he looked at me and said: "Heaven. He died. He with Jesus now." Roy couldn't have been more than 3 years old then.
I tell you, I had more lumps in my throat and more tears in my eyes that day; and now, two years later, I still feel the sting of tears or the swelling of a lump growing in my throat whenever I think of little Johnny and his sister, Ronee', Ellen Rose, and Roy. Such innocent little ones; but all who are facing the harsh realities of life. It seems that life has been less than kind to too many of these precious little ones; but if I can just give them one moment of hope or love, then my job is worth it. This is why I choose to play Santa Claus each and every year. I do it for the children, and nothing pleases me more than to see their young, pink, excited faces or their sparkling eyes as they see me; and nothing pleases me more than giving them a hug or a kiss, or even a coloring book or candy cane. If I can just make one child forget their pain or hurt for just one moment, then my job is worth it. This is why I choose to do this each and every Christmas time.
But what these dear little children do not see are my tears. Yes, Dear Children, even Santa Claus cries. He cries because he doesn't like to see children sad or hurting, and he doesn't like to see how bad this world has become. He also cries because it seems the VERY ESSENCE of Christmas..the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ..has been removed; and all that people seem to see now at Christmas time is pure, unadulterated greed, hatred, or evil. It's like Christ Himself has been removed from Christmas.
Well, Dear Little Ones, I can't seem to write anymore due to the tears that are falling from my eyes. I also can't seem to write anymore because my heart is breaking. I will try to write more later, but I just want you to remember one thing. I am still watching out over you, and I know when you have been naughty or nice! I know what you do, and I know how you treat others. I am definitely checking my lists; and I am definitely planning on making the trip to see y'all during my Big Journey; but I am starting to have second thoughts when I think of how bad things have become.
I still love each and every one of you, and I want you all to know that I am getting ready for my Big Trip. The presents are ready, and so are my faithful reindeer. Please TRY to be good for Santa's Sake!
A definite twist to the normal Christmas letter! You expressed so much that we see going wrong concerning the Christmas season and yet, even so, just as you have clearly brought out, there are those very precious things that bring tears even to Santa, but are too precious to miss!
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