Dear Santa,

It’s been a long time since I’ve written you a letter. I guess that’s what happens when you’re no longer allowed to believe in tales and the things that make life seem so magical. I have to say thank you for all of the joy that you brought me throughout my childhood. The closer it got to Christmas, the more excited I would get to make you cookies and wake up to all the presents you put under the tree. You picked the best person to help you get them there (though I may be a little biased considering it is my mom and all).

I also worried that I wasn’t good enough each year and would receive lumps of coal for something small that I did, but you’ve proven me wrong each year. It’s funny how that transpires into my adult life in a way. I often worry that I’m not doing good when it comes to the things that I’m pursuing in my life or if I’m even truly a good person. A lump of coal may not be the end result but are much worse. Yet somehow I have a feeling that, if you could, you would tell me that I’m doing good as you give me a candy cane with a hard belly laugh.

I won’t drag out my letter much longer, but I will say that I wish I could go back to truly believing…believing in the magic and joy that you constantly bring to children. Although things have changed as I’ve gotten older, one thing will never change…your spirit remains in my heart every Christmas season that makes me continue to love the holiday just as I did when I was a child.