Students of psychology could probably learn from the children who write letters to Santa Claus for Christmas.
Some youngsters submit long shopping lists, while others, not wanting to appear demanding, leave the choice of gifts up to Santa.Many of the children's letters are filled with love and concern for their brothers and sisters or parents and grandparents and show concern for the poor.
A Providence, Cache County, girl wrote to Santa (original spellings in all letters are retained): "Daer Santa, I hop you have a Merry Christmas. I know you don't have a lot of time on Christmas Eve so you don't have to bring me much. Any way I've been sortave bad this year, but I'll try to be better. Tell your elfs hi for me." Her letter was routed by Santa's helpers to the South Jordan LDS Seminary, 10303 S. 2700 West, where his assistant letter-answerers are at work.
Santa has requested help in answering the mail overflowing his mailbag, according to Bill Nebeker, consumer affairs manager for the Salt Lake City District of the U.S. Postal Service.
Students at the seminary, who have come to Santa's rescue in years past, volunteered again this year, Nebeker said.
"We get 500 to 600 letters and ask our students to respond with a short-form letter but also a personal message. Some of the children who write letters come from difficult backgrounds. We ask our students to be sensitive to the children's requests, to not make promises but to send a message encouraging children to be good. We ask our students to fill their letters with love and peace," said Dan Cutler, seminary principal.
Jennie Kramer, 14; Clayton Bolz, 15; and Rebecca Dibble, 14, all students at South Jordan Middle School and at the seminary, said they enjoy the experience of reading and responding to the children's letters.
Austin, a Park City boy, told Santa that he "hasn't been perfect" this past year "but I have been good. How are you, Santa? Is Rudolph real?" he asked, adding that he would like ice station hockey for Christmas.
Another Santa admirer wrote a short, simple letter:
"Dear Santa, Please bring me a hot wheel. Hugs and Kisses, Jesse."
Some children, such as a boy named Jacob, are more worried about others than themselves.
"Please bring something special to dorothy because she is cind of poor," the youngster said in a neatly printed letter.
Melanie asked Santa to "please bring something specil to poor people! bring food and a clothes with a blankit. thanks," she wrote in a letter brightly decorated with a picture of a "Ho, Ho, Ho" Santa and his reindeer flying over a home.
Mikael asked for a "magic copy mashin" for himself, a little robot that plays ball for his "little brother and something special for my mom and Dad."
Michelle's letter, decorated with a candy cane and a Christmas tree, expressed personal concerns:
"Palias (please) get my grandma and grandpa (something) as they are sad."
Denise drew a picture of a star with a baby Jesus in the center and asked Santa to "please bring something speciel to the poor peple because theres lots of peple that I no that are poor . . . will you bring all of them some cheer to them and food, clothes." The child's requests for herself included a nutcracker, a doll and a book.
Christa asked for a teddy bear, a "blankie," a tape player and some new clothes for herself.
"Please bring my brother a tractor. My name is Christa. I live in Utah. We don't have a chimney. We have a front door. Don't come in the back, there's a dog. That's all," the girl advised, signing her name "with love."
Letters from parents occasionally also find their way to Santa and also contain touches of sadness or humor.
Suzette, of Chicago, said in her letter that she is a "low-income mother with four children. With bills and rent, I can't afford to buy them (a son, 14, and three daughters, ages 11, 8, 4) anything, and I don't want them to be disappointed."
Barbara, a wife and mother of South Jordan, injected humor in her letter.
She told Santa she has been a "very good girl. I have taken good care of my children, and I only yell at them once in a while. I have been nice to my husband. Sometimes I even cook dinner for him. Since I have been such a good person I am sure you will want to stop at my house and leave some presents. I only want one thing this Christmas. I want a happy, healthy family."
Some letters contain references to possible child abuse, postal authorities say. Those letters are turned over to state human services officials.