I just had the rare opportunity of talking with Santa Claus, who under duress, agreed to let me read some of the numerous letters he gets from children every year addressed to the North Pole. I'd like to share a few of them, but I won't use their names, because some of them might not enjoy being quoted in the paper.
One little girl expressed interest in Santa and Mrs. Claus' health, thanked them for all her previous presents, then said, "I hope I can get some skates, Baby Check-up, MacDonalds snack maker, a hug and a kiss. I don't expect everything. P.S. I love you very much."Two brothers wrote to say they promised to do everything their mom and dad say, one pledged to be nicer to his brother, and the other vowed to stop saying, "I hate you." They asked for a bike, a game called "The Dream Phone," a four-wheeler, transformers, tools and cars.
A little girl said, "I want a lizard for Christmas - one that doesn't bite." Another asked for "a small slicey and a doll that has a high chair and wheels. I want a small doll Santa like you! And a pretty gold neckles that has a dimond ring with it."
A little boy said, "I have been a very good boy. This is what I'd like for Christmas: A Megazord, a bat plane, a transformer truck and an ambulance. You choose what you think I'd like best."
Another was worried that Santa might not be able to come to his house because, "I don't have a chiming, but will you come? I want a remot cintrol ariplane."
One inquisitive boy listed "a Geo Safari, a big basketball, an America calendar and any geography or basketball things," then asked: "What's the name of the smallest elf? What is the fastest reindeer? Who is the smartest elf? Who is the smartest reindeer? Who is the fastest elf?" Then he apologized to Santa, because his little sister ripped his letter, and he had to tape it.
A little girl requested some "sneakers that lite up when you walk." A little boy wanted "new gloves, a sno board, a power wheel, a drum set, a mote controll truck, a game boy, thunder strike 20 - and lots of SNICKERS."
A boy requested "a cowboy hat and shirt, a play training gun, and the teenage mutant ninja turties. But the thing I want most of all is the famely to be togher and happy with LOVE. And Santa Claus - when you get this letter please wright back so I know you got this letter."
A girl requested "Color me Badd tape, sweat pants, game boy, Boys to Men, batteries, socks, hair stuff and candy. I'm in states-custody, and a few more months and then I go home."
One girl didn't ask for anything, but thanked Santa "for the toys you brang to my brothers and I when our family was one of the less fortunate. Thank you, Santa for teaching me and many others what Christ's birthday is all about. It's about giving and sharing. Just as the Lord gave and shared his life with us."
Another writer assured Santa she had been "a very good little girl" and "would love to have a baby check-up and some Barbie things. Santa, would you please surprise me with some other special things? I help Mommy make beds. I help Mom watch and take care of my sister."
A girl requested "a white cat that is real, with no other colors but white on its body and I want it to be a kitten. I don't want a hamster cage."
A girl asked for a CD player - "Oh, one more thing, will you bring a little something for my Guinea Pig (Rusty)?"
The letter that touched me the most was from a girl who apologized for not being very good this year, but said she had been trying "very hard. You know how that goes, don't you?" She asked for "a pocket knife, a small chalk board, a crayon box, a doll with an orange-pinky, creamish color, and a puppy."
Then this thoughtful little girl requested a "glass stove without burners for my mother - they do exist - but they are too much money, so would you pleas give her one for Christmas? That is all she wants."
Then she said her dad wants a new record player - and her older sister wants "a dishwasher and a new car built for 6. She is expecting her 4th."
Santa must enjoy reading all these letters.