Dear Santa: Letters & Stories

Dear Santa,

You know how when I was young, I wanted to be a nurse, then a ballet dancer and ultimately a teacher, an art teacher?

Never an astronaut!

And yet here I am, an adult, in a prone position seemingly being launched into outer space... with the interior walls vibrating and shaking with loud booms! and thumps! right before takeoff.

No, I'm not in Florida, at Cape Canaveral, or in some simulator.

I'm in bed asleep, was asleep, when I was abruptly awakened by the new neighbors upstairs: a grandmother, young mother and her three very young children who scream and cry frequently and from the sounds of things rise early and go to bed late, and when awake, love to: run, stomp, jump off furniture, bang on sliding closet doors, and run into walls!

And so this "rocket", which used to be my bedroom of solace, has now become a daily launch pad for unscheduled missions anytime between the hours of 6,5,4,3,2,1 AM... blast off!!!

No doubt these children and their caregivers are inconsiderate and naughty.

But I'm trying to be nice. So please do visit their apartment and leave them presents other than coal.

And for me?

Kris, I guess what I'm hoping for is nothing short of a miracle.

The gifts of...

"Peace & Quiet".

And should that prove too intangible... please fill our stockings (mine and my husband's) with Mack's Silicone Earplugs and a set of Pro For Sho Maximum Hearing Protection Safety Ear Muffs.

Best to Mrs. Claus, Rudolph and the gang, along with your Elves!

XOX... Dyan

P.S. You'll find your favorite freshly-baked Trader Joe's Double Chocolate Chip Cookies in their usual place... on the kitchen counter next to the stove. Enjoy!

Here are a few found images of letters written by children to Santa Claus.

In this last image found on Bored Panda a parent writes: "This is my 4-year-old's letter to Santa. I think she's on her way to becoming a doctor."  

Here are a few stories from Reader's Digest updated on Nov. 30, 2021 and titled: "24 Stories About Meeting Santa That Will Fill You With The Christmas Spirit."

My sister-in-law had driven her five-year-old son Josh to the mall with the purpose of visiting Santa and telling him what he wanted for Christmas. After parking the car, they got as far as the entrance when Josh stopped, threw out his hands to block their path, and announced, "Wait! I forgot the toy catalog!" ~ Laurel Holt, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Funds were tight for my friend Jo and her husband. But Tinker, Jo's five-year-old, was convinced that since he'd been good all year, Santa would bring him a bike. And not just any bike, but a rare yellow one. "Don't worry, Mom," he said. "He'll bring it." Jo's sister and her five-year-old son lived with Jo, and as it happened that little boy was getting a red bike. On Christmas Eve, I told my mother the story of Tinker and the yellow bike. "You can't let that happen!" she said. "That little boy won't understand why Santa brought his cousin a new bike and not him!" Mom handed me a pile of bills. "Take this, and get him that bike." By now it was late, and most stores were closed. I called the only place I knew that sold bikes. A man answered. I asked if he had any boys' bikes left. "Only one," he said. Then he added apologetically, "But it's yellow." ~ Carole Martinez, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Last year, when our three-year-old great granddaughter Kylie was taken to see Santa Claus, she made sure to give him her wish list of toys. A week later, she ran into a different Santa in the mall. He stopped to ask what she wanted for Christmas. Kylie was appalled and let him know: "If you can't remember what I told you last week, how are you going to remember on Christmas Eve?!" ~ Mary Paul, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

A friend asked me to dress as Santa to surprise her son. I went over to their house, changed into a Santa suit in the bathroom, and, to the delight of the little boy, came out with a loud "Ho, ho, ho!" After a half hour, I returned to the bathroom, changed back into my regular clothes, and exited the bathroom. The boy went in after me. He looked around for Santa. Then, reaching the only possible conclusion, he lifted the toilet seat and shouted, "Bye, Santa!" ~ Kevin Cuddihy, Fairfax, Virginia.

Happy Holidays

and

Best Wishes for

"Peace On Earth (especially in my apartment)

& Goodwill to All!"

XOX... Dyan

@ Here and Next