My Grown Up Christmas list...

December 2007/January 2008

Dear Santa,

I know I’m running a little late with the whole Christmas list thing, but I’ve been a bit busy myself, trying to do my part to contribute to all of this ho-ho-ho-ing in the spirit of the season.

As you well know, it hasn’t been easy going. Things are tense just about everywhere, and people seem to get testy this time of year—more so than usual, which is pretty ironic, given the fact that this is supposed to be the season of good cheer and all.

I’ve done most of my shopping, and I can’t help but notice that the stuff people seem to need most isn’t on any store shelf that I can find. So, I’m writing to ask if you would mind throwing a few extra items in your sack of gifts this year. I’m not even sure you stock these things, but any reasonable facsimile will do. And the sooner you can get the stuff here, the better for all of us.

Item 1: Patience. Boy is this one a biggie. The closer we get to the big day, the less people appear to have it, and the more they need it. Again, pretty ironic, huh? Anyway, a little more patience in a traffic jam, or in line at a store behind someone who has decided to do all of his shopping in one evening and now wants to pay by check, would be a welcome change from the snarls, stares and swearing going on now. I know I could use a generous helping of some, and if I’ve snarled, stared or sworn at anyone in the past few weeks, I apologize. (And I’m pretty sure I have.)

Item 2: A Listening Ear.

What’s that, Santa? You’re having trouble hearing all of the good little boys and girls because everyone is talking at once and no one listens anymore? I know how you feel.

Seems like the world is degenerating into one big shouting match. This one goes right to the top. World leaders, church leaders, business leaders, anyone who leads anything needs to stop talking and listen a little more. We might get something done once in a while.

And I’m not exempt from this one either, especially where those nearest and dearest to me are concerned. In fact, if you’re handing out listening ears, make mine a double.

Item 3: Common Sense. I know. I’m pushing it with this one.

Common sense has been in short supply since at least the days of Harry Truman, possibly before. But we need some now, more than ever, and this one, too, spans the generations. For example, a young lady (not my daughter this time) with some common sense would not wear fur-lined boots outdoors on a chilly December day and then refuse to wear a jacket because it might interfere with her “look.” Her parents, had some common sense been available, probably wouldn’t have bought her the two hundred dollar boots anyway. They would have bought her a jacket. (And I happen to know from first-hand experience that “Fuggs” boots — fake Uggs for the uninitiated—are just as warm and cute as the originals and a lot cheaper.)

Needless to say, the application of some plain old common sense on a broader, say global, scale would have to be an improvement over whatever we’re doing now. It sure couldn’t be any worse.

Well, Santa, that’s it. Only three things on my list. Even so, I know it’s a tall order to fill. Like I said, we’ll take whatever you’ve got.

And Santa? Could you hurry? We need it bad.