by Ann E. Smith

Created on: December 02, 2008   Last Updated: December 05, 2008

Dear Santa,

Hope you are doing well and resting up for your big trip! It's always so exciting when you come to visit. This year, though, perhaps your sled will be a bit lighter as we are in an economic crunch, the worst in many years.

As a result, my wish list for you has been revised to reflect what we need to remember this year, in the spirit of giving. Thanks for taking a look at it, and may you have a Merry Christmas!

WISH LIST

1. Appreciation.

Yes, it sounds corny in some ways, but it's more important now than ever. Please help my family members and me remember to appreciate all of our blessings this year, and not focus on what we do not have.

While we plan to spend less on presents so as to be prudent during tough times, is there some way you can fill any gaps in gifts with warmth in our hearts, and a sincere joy for each other, our health, our homes and our many other blessings? This wish is first on the list, as it is the most important one of all.

2. Presents with meaning.

We would still like to celebrate our Chrismas tradition of gift giving, but we will be doing so on a larger scale. May we take more time to choose or make presents that will be remembered, not because of their extravagance but because of the thought that went into them.

Let us remember that simple things are often the best and most treasured. It's often the photograph or card we hold to our hearts years later, or the drawing done by our children, not the expensive electronic gadget that became outdated anyway.

3. Kindness.

We are reminded each day that we live in stressful times. People are rude to each other in traffic. The news if filled with stories of violence, hatred and divisiveness.

My hope, Santa, is that you bring my loved ones a dose of kindness. Let us remember to be gentle and patient with one another, and to make the effort to be kind to those we see outside of our homes. It takes so little for us to smile at a sad or neglected stranger, reminding that person that there are caring people in the world.

4. Candy.

Since everyone is cutting back, do you mind giving us lots of candy as we know that will not cost so much? And, it makes us laugh, and we were good this year. Well, I mean, we tried to be good!

5. Inner peace.

I know this is a really big wish, Santa, but can you give us the willingness to seek inner peace? If you can just help us remember that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, who gave the ultimate gift to us, that would be a great start.

While inner peace comes through our relationship with Him, perhaps you can remind us just how important that relationship is? Sometimes we get too carried away with the material things. Maybe having less material presents this year will help us turn to the true and real present in our life.

Thanks, Santa, for taking the time to read this wish list. If you grant just a few of these wishes, we will have the best Christmas we have had in many years, maybe ever.

Peace.

The Smith Family

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