Dear Santa:
I know I made some mistakes this year.
Maybe, I could have been a little less snarky at times. Biting my tongue and holding my peace has never been my strong suit. But I haven’t been that bad this year. I held back more than I let go. You know this is true.
And maybe, I could have smoked, eaten, and drank less. There were a couple of times when I overdid it. (I know, I did!) But, I’m only human and I have done my best.
Maybe, I could have been kinder to those around me. Maybe, I could have done more for my family and friends and maybe, even for those I do not know. Maybe, I could have given back more. But you know, even if I was not giving, I was not taking either. Is a net neutral nice or naughty? I will leave that for you to decide.
Yes, I lost my patience with those people who keep calling about my car warranty, but I did not say to them all the things I wanted to say. And yes, I lost my patience with others as well, but I refrained from losing my cool. I did not snap. I did not go off. I held back. I really did. You know that I did. There were things that I could have said or done, but did not.
Was I less social than maybe I could have been? Sure. But sometimes we need a break. You only work one day a year, but most of us don’t have that luxury of time. So, you will have to forgive me if I selfishly took some time for myself.
Did I relentlessly tease one friend or another over one faux pas or another? Of course. But you know that teasing came from a place of love. Besides, karma already kicked me in the ass for that one. There is no need for you to add insult to injury, now.
There were times (oh, so many times) when I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs at the lunacy that seems to have taken over . . . well, everything. But I didn’t! No, sir. I controlled myself. You know that I did.
Did I make someone cry this year? Probably. Did I piss someone off? Oh, I am sure that I did. But I also made some people smile. I also made some people laugh. I even made some happy — if only for a brief moment in time. Doesn’t that deserve some consideration?
So as you balance the scales to decide if I belong on the “Naughty” or “Nice” list, keep all of this in mind. Don’t remember only my mistakes, remember the good things, too. I am not perfect. I messed up a few times. (Okay, maybe more than a few.) But I did some things right as well. And I think that when the scale is balanced, you will find that, overall, the good far outweighed the bad.
Maybe, I don’t deserve everything that I want this year. In fact, I am pretty sure that I don’t. So, I am not going to ask you for the moon and the stars wrapped under my Christmas tree. I won’t even ask you for a single thing for me — not one thing at all; not one!
All that I want for Christmas this year is for those that I love to be happy and healthy and that they remain so.
Maybe I don’t deserve any gifts this year, but I am pretty sure they do.
Thank you. I will try to do better next year.