Dear Santa,
As with most things related to this particular Christmas, I am writing you at the very last possible moment.
For me, there seems to be something a little more magical about Christmas when you do the shopping, wrapping and stuffing all at the last minute. Then again, that magical feeling is usually cured with a few Tums.
Each year, Santa, I try to write one of my columns about what I would want for Christmas. Some years those columns have been more emotional than others.
This year, it’s very simple.
I have figured out that as I have grown older, the “what I want for Christmas” part of the holiday has gotten harder and harder. My wants have grown more into needs and thus harder to have your elves manufacture.
I would imagine it would be difficult for an elf to construct a mortgage payment out of wood and glue. I would think an elf might not have the directions in place, or tools in place, to get those pesky 10 or 20 (more) so pounds off.
Rather, Santa, what I want for Christmas is something I have no doubt you can provide. And, in many ways, you have already provided.
This year has been one of great transition for my family. There were some ups and downs, as I would expect every family experienced, and by some amazing grace we’ve made it through some interesting, stressful and painful struggles.
As you know, because I made sure to send you a change of address form, we moved from Alabama to Mississippi, placing Stephanie and I, as well as our children, in unfamiliar hands. But, again, by amazing grace, each of us, from me here at The Post, to Sarah Cameron at school and our boys at daycare, we have all been welcomed so warmly and made to feel right at home.
So, Santa, all I want for Christmas, other than about five more minutes of sleep Christmas morning, is for my children to have nothing but smiles on Christmas day and every day. I pray they not only have a great time with their gifts that you and we have provided, but grow to fully appreciate the meaning of Christmas.
You see, Santa, it’s simple and it’s the only thing I ask for during this amazing and magical time of year.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
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Tim Reeves is publisher of The Vicksburg Post and can be reached by email at tim.reeves@vicksburgpost.com or by phone at 601-636-4545 ext. 122.