DEAR SANTA, North Pole, Earth
Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019
Hi Santa,
It’s been quite a few years since I last wrote to you with requests for gifts. The magic of that process now falls to my grandchildren, and in time to their grandchildren. For now, this is more of a wish list than a direct request to you – instead, it is my call-out to the universe for help, for things, for people, and for wisdom.
Surely the man charged with spreading peace and goodwill around the world through the magic of children opening gifts can appreciate the need for this – for me, for everyone – at this time.
Today is also the shortest day of the year, four shopping days till Christmas, so you better get a move on …
This time of year is financially painful for rich and poor alike – we all want to do more than we can manage, want to be more generous than necessary, and help those who need it most in ways that make maximum difference for them and stretching the power of our dollar as far as it will go…
To this end, every charity has its hand out. Every schemer and crook wants to have his hand in our pocket, and every politician wants to bathe in glory under the blanket of secrecy to obscure their stupid mistakes, and unwise application of our money – because they think they can, because they believe they have us in the palm of their hand. We are complicit in this, so we should not blame the people we elected, but instead, we should resolve to elect better people.
But I digress ~
Back to my letter, back to my list.
Santa, I want many things, and if my ship came in, if I won the lottery, or somehow fell into a pot of magic luck – I would buy some new clothes, a new home in a warm vacation spot, buy a new car, etc. etc. … just like everyone else who might want to wrap their life in things.
Seriously, those days describe my hungry twenties, my greedy thirties, and my ‘can’t I ever catch up again forties and fifties’ as I bore the costs of mistakes, poor decisions, insufficient planning, two marriages, two divorces, one business failure, and countless other financial misadventures, so no Mr. Santa, my list does not involve anything you need to buy or have your elves manufacture.
But considering all those years, including this one, where I’ve asked you for nothing at all – could you do me a little stretch, a small accommodation this year?
- I want the world to be easier, for a while for everyone; I don’t deny young folks with grand dreams and unmet needs – but there is something we are ALL missing that could help with this ubiquitous situation: Santa, please get everyone to try smiling first, making eye contact first, saying good-morning first, opening the door first … these seem like trivial things, but they are the foundation that we need to be strong, so could you give that to everyone, please?
- I want (I ask each year but never find one) the company of a lovely woman/partner/companion; I have friends, not many, but some very dear kind one. I enjoy their company, their kindness, and moral support for sometimes wavering moral-compass. I want that gift for everyone, not just for me. As recently as a few years ago, my testosterone had me wishing for that only for me, for my sheet-wrinkling desires. Still, it seems the aging male body is low on T and higher on need for company, for companionship, and that magic elixir of touch. Yes, emotional connection, but also the physical touch we all need, want, and desire. Deliver a bunch of this to everyone, please.
- I want the world to be better. I don’t expect you to do it, and I know I can’t do it all myself – no one person can, but since you’ll be diving down every chimney in every land, could you stop the ‘lumps of coal in stockings’ this year – please, we need to stop using coal because the planet is choking. Instead of coal, or presents, in every stocking, could you leave an ounce of hope? I prefer a pound, but your Tesla-sleigh/truck has load-limitations, so just an ounce will have to do. An ounce of caring. An ounce of effort. An ounce of peace for everyone on earth – that would be nice.
This year has been one of a few little hills and some deep valleys – but for me, the holiday season and New Year look bright, look better, and look exciting.
Happy Holidays,
Mark
p.s. Tell Mrs. Santa she needs to get you to back off on the milk and cookies. I saw you at the mall the other day, before opening. Actually, it was quite funny – and I commend you for your natural white flowing hair and beard. But you were a little conspicuous doing your laps around the mall before work – good for you – but those kids with their parents in tow lining up for those pictures with Santa were giving you side-eye. They wondered, as I did, “Could that white beard and hair, red T-shirt, and black pants be anyone other than mall-Santa getting some before-work exercise?”
Reader feedback:
Good Musing today, Mark. Not that the others are not. I just seem to be in a more receptive state of mind today. Less distracted perhaps. I find all your writings interesting and provocative. Some are more profound; and others, just resonate with me at a deeper level. I feel we are looking at the same songbook and on certain days we appear to reading from the same sheet of music. You, however, take the notes from the page and make music. Thank you! I am grateful for your writing obsession. Merry Christmas; and, may all your goals for 2020 be actualized. Your long-time friend, RT, White Rock, BC
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