My Letter from Santa

My letter to Santa this year went something like this:

Dear Santa,

For Christmas, I would like a Toyota Sienna van. It doesn’t have to be a new one as long as it is not older than five years. I would also like to win some money so that my wife and I could do more travelling, especially out west to see our grandchildren.

Yours truly,

Bill

But then I got a letter back from Santa:

Dear Bill,

I don’t like to complain, but you know Santa gets tired of you always asking for material things, just like most boys and girls and others your age. It would be so nice if you could just ask Santa to bring you the things you need and not everything that you want. A little girl in Oshawa recently asked me just to bring her whatever I thought she deserved and would like. What a wonderful way of asking Santa for a gift. That kind of request takes a lot of pressure off Santa, and ensures people aren’t so disappointed at Christmas. Remember when you were just a young boy and you asked Santa for a horse? Well, Santa couldn’t grant your request until you were 50 and you did get to own a percentage of your friend’s racehorse…remember? But you were so disappointed that Christmas by not getting exactly what you wanted!

Now Bill, I have noticed you have not been really naughty, but sometimes you have not been very nice either. Like a lot of people your age, you still put too much emphasis on judging people by their appearances. Santa gets really upset when people do this. It does not matter what clothes people wear, or what culture they come from. You must learn to see beyond their appearance.

Santa would be so pleased if you would also be friendlier towards people you don’t know. I see you sometimes walking down the street just passing by people without just giving a friendly “Hello.” You must learn to spread the joy Bill, especially at Christmas time.

Like a lot of retired people Bill, you waste too much time doing things that are not constructive, like watching TV (especially the Leafs). Maybe, Bill, you should be getting out more to volunteer and support your local community?

Another thing that Santa doesn’t like is the number of times people are too self-centred and seek instant gratification. I know in your case this has to do with food…chocolate chip cookies?

You mentioned you would like to win some money so as to travel more, but try cutting back on some of those chocolate bars and desserts you crave, so as to save for travelling.

Santa thinks it would be nice too if you thought about adopting one of Santa’s little children in a poor country. World Vision and other organizations are good places to seek out how you could help less privileged children and families. You certainly can afford to do this, Bill.

So in closing, Bill, look around and you will see that you are doing very, very well compared to many of the homes that Santa visits. You know Santa had nothing to do with your greatest gifts, Bill -your wife, and your four great sons, their partners and your two granddaughters are the best gifts you could ever want! Remember just to have a home is a blessing when you consider the people around the world that have so little.

So Bill, I hope your write again, but with requests for others, and less about yourself. And please remember the real reason for the season.

By the way, are you deliberately trying to look like Santa with your white beard and big belly?

 

And then the phone rang, and I awoke from one of the weirdest dreams I have ever had, or was it?