by Vivian Edwards

Created on: November 20, 2008   Last Updated: February 20, 2011

Dear Santa,

As I write this letter, memories of my childhood are overflowing from my heart. Christmas and the belief that sustains this holiday make this season heart warming to me still today. As a child, I learned of graciousness, acceptance and the beauty in simply believing. Each year as the season approached the anticipation within me was so alive. I could feel it in all that I was when I was small. My memories that I carry today were made yesteryear but are as vibrant today, as they were then.

The coolness in the air and the falling snow set the stage for the magic to begin for me. My parents were barely able to buy us shoes for school but they were able to make simple things exciting for us. We never had the biggest tree from the lot but I remember so vividly learning that beauty is possible in all things. Daddy would make popcorn, Mama would get the string and the needle and we would all sit on the living room floor and make the popcorn into garland for our tree. As a child, I did not ever realize that people actually bought beaded garland.

I never realized we were poor and as I think about it today, I am so very grateful for how my parents were able to turn little things into lifetime memories. In today's society, our children do not know how to pretend and use their imagination to create memories. We have provided them with electronic and digital toys programmed to do their thinking for them. Without the requirement of using one's own imagination to create memories, there will be none when they reach adulthood. Most children do not remember what they received from whom.

Santa, in today's society with our economic situation, I believe that the basics of the season need to come back into play. Below is a listing of my hopes and dreams for this season.

1. Please help parents accept what they can provide not what they feel they must

2. Please help children to receive the gift of gratefulness and understanding

3. Allow families to gather in peace, acceptance and love realizing that the bonds that hold them together is what life is all about

4. Allow imagination to flow into our children's minds to open up the world of non-electric, non-digital toys

5. Santa, as always, please pray for those that have no hope in life

Fill your sleigh with faith, hope, peace and love this year. Add lots of patience, understanding and acceptance for both those that give and those that receive. Allow the magic of this season to fill our hearts and remain in our memories forever.

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