Friday, December 27, 2019

Santa's Long-Winded Response

Before I post Santa's response to Sam's letter, let me qualify it with a few explanations (i.e. excuses).

First of all, Santa, at least the Santa that visits our house, is barely coherent on the best of days. The fact that he can string together more than three words and still make some kind of sense is in itself a minor Christmas miracle.

Add that to the fact that Santa is jotting this letter down late at night (for him), while exhausted from stuffing stockings, hauling in presents, and whatever else he may have been doing earlier in the day.

And, although Santa is allegedly a semi-bright person, a guy who supposedly “knows when you are sleeping ... etc, etc,etc," - in reality, he doesn’t know ahead of time what he will be responding to - and therefore, he doesn’t know what he’s going to be writing until he writes it.

Finally, for some insane reason, Santa writes in pen. That’s right, I said “Pen”. That means that whatever Santa puts down on paper, stays down on paper. None of the luxuries of writing and re-writing, say, a blog post, until a completely incoherent thought approaches semi-coherence - which can then be given up on and dumped - or posted for no one to bother to read.

Given the opportunity, I’m sure Santa would have liked to have said things a little differently. Probably a lot differently. But, hey, that happens to the best of us - or so I’m told.

All of that said, here’s Santa’s loooong response to this year’s letter from Sam… 

12/25/19
 Dear Sam,
I am so glad to hear that you have co-workers. I remember a couple of years ago, you were worried about finding a job - and here you are! That’s great!

I understand what your co-worker means - the older you are, the faster time seems to pass. Of course, it just feels that way. Time passes the same for the old and young alike.

Still, I understand why you worry. Love is a great thing. And if you are lucky enough to love someone, then there will be times you will worry about them. It’s all part of the same package and it’s natural to feel that way.

I think if your parents are telling you not to get worked up about it, what they really mean is, it’s ok. It’s ok to feel these things. It’s ok to think about these things. And it’s ok to talk about these things. As a matter of fact, that may be the most important thing - to talk about things when they’re bothering you. It can be hard, but sometimes, that’s when it’s most important to talk. 

Your feelings matter. You matter. And I am sure, just like you worry about the ones you love, the ones you love worry about you. And that’s ok. Like I said, it’s all part of the same package. You are lucky enough to love each other! How great!!

I am also glad to hear that you are beginning to hang out with old friends. Friends, like family, are important.

It certainly must be better than doing nothing all day. Though I imagine, knowing how hard you work, doing nothing must feel nice after a long day at work.

But having friends - how wonderful! That gives you options in life. And it gives you even more people to talk with, to share your feelings with and, like I said, that’s important.

I am so proud of you and I am so happy to see what a fine young man you have become. You are doing great, as always.

Thank you again for all the snacks - and I hope you have, not only a merry Christmas but also, a happy new year.

Love, Santa

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