Dear Santa,

Hello from Indiana. I hope you and the Mrs. are well. How are the elves?  I’m hoping they aren’t too sleep-deprived during this last minute holiday rush in the workshop.

I’m so excited that Christmas is just days away, and I’m really trying to focus on soaking up the season. I want to remember what it’s really about, and also what it’s not about: shopping, stress, erroneously working my tail off to make sure everything is perfect and eating too many cookies. I’m a work in progress Santa…

Today I’m writing for two reasons: I want to personally thank you for last year’s gifts, and to present you with this year’s wish list.

You really delivered in 2015, Santa. I was especially grateful for the following:

1-Another Year of Health and Happiness. I know I complain a lot, especially about my back. I’ll try to curb my whining in the coming year and remember that it could be worse. Because I know, especially now that I’m 50, that not everyone gets the gift of another year. I want to thank you for the years I’ve been given and all the good you’ve thrown my way.

2-My Family. I know I complain about them, Santa. It seems I can’t help myself. But they truly are the people I love the most on this earth. And while I don’t think about it often, I know any one of them could be taken from me at anytime. It’s a horrifying thought, and I don’t want my last words to any of them to be ‘For the love of God, could you just pick up your shoes?’ any more than you do. So thanks for giving me chance after chance to get it right.

3-My work. Santa, you knew just how badly I wanted to get my book published and having it happen was the best gift! That so many people took time out of their day to tell me they enjoyed it-well, that was just icing on the cake. I even (sort of) like the way you kept me humble throughout the process. Those events that didn’t pan out, they were a great reminder that I’m nobody special, just a girl who likes to write.

As for this year, here are a few of the gifts I’d love to find under my tree:

1-Patience. Oh Santa, we both know I lack in this department. I hate waiting, be it for lunch meat at the deli counter, my problems to be resolved, or the weight to come off. We live in such a day of immediate gratification and that makes it hard. But Santa, I also know having more patience will make me a better, stronger and more compassionate person.

2-Faith. I know I should believe in you with all my heart, but sometimes, you seem far away and I forget you’re really right there with me. You see me when I’m sleeping; you know when I’m awake: I know this Santa! But still, I question. Still, I worry. Still, I doubt. With the gift of faith, I know I can be an encouragement to others.

3-Courage. This one will come easier if you give me gifts #1 and 2, Santa. But even so, I’ll need another dose to get through my days. When the world gets rough, I need courage to face the day, courage to press forward and courage to do the right thing, day in and day out. Courage will give  legs to my fear, Santa.  Just think of what all I could accomplish if I’d just focus on what is to come (the big picture) instead of the challenge in front of me.

Santa, every Christmas for 50 years, you have shown up. You’ve been there for me and you always leave me at least a little something. For that I thank you.  I may not always get what I want, but I always end up appreciating what you’ve delivered. I think it’s safe to say you are the best gift-giver.   Enjoy the cookies-

Love,

Tracy