1. http://ns.tmnews.com/stories/2009/12/15/home.898464.tms?1261369890
Mamaw still makes requests of Santa Claus: ns.tmnews.com
BY GLENDA DeFORD
Guest columnist
12/15/2009
QUESTION — Could we see again the letter to Santa that you wrote a couple of years ago?
ANSWER — Sure thing. Here’s “Mamaw still makes Christmas requests of Santa.”
“Dear Santa,
“I know I am old now, but I still can’t help looking for you on Christmas Eve. My wrapping paper is printed with you and your reindeer flying across the
moon through the midnight sky.
“That might surprise you, since it’s been quite awhile since my last letter.
“First of all, thanks for all the past Christmas gifts. I especially liked my first riding toy, the yellow Minneapolis Moline tractor. Thanks for getting me that
instead of the tricycle my mother thought was more appropriate for girls. I also liked the Betsy McCall doll and the Etch-A-Sketch. The metal doll
house, though fun to play with, eventually rusted and became dented, making sharp edges that could cut your finger. You couldn’t keep the door shut
either, without sticking a piece of Play-Doh in the handle. Remember the electric toy stove you gave to Gloria and me? Well, she got a coil burn print
when she laid her little hand on it while we were alone in the playroom having a real tea party. I thought you might want to know about the few safety
issues we had, although I should have said something much sooner.
“My grandfather’s Christmas as a child consisted of getting an orange, some nuts and an apple. It was the rich families who gave and received
presents at Christmas.
“My being raised by grandparents was an interesting experience, and we got more than the orange, nuts and apple. Thanks for all the help you gave
them. I must say they were far better at setting limits when it came to Christmas than either “Farmor” Ann-Christin or “Mamaw” Glenda.
“We do seem to not be able to help ourselves.
“While I would like to tell you I have conquered my addiction to buying for grandchildren. I have not. But, I am working on it. Awareness is the first step!
Maybe you can help me a little with that for next year. The world does not need more demanding human beings with a big sense of entitlement.
“Farmor sends a beautiful St. Lucia costume from Sweden each year to Abby. Baby Aiden got his first star boy hat and golden star wand. He tolerated
having his picture taken in a gingerbread man costume on Dec. 13. Ann-Christin and Stig have sent many other Christmas gifts that are to be opened
on Christmas Eve before you arrive.
“I love to talk to the almost 5-year-old Abby about what she wants to be when she grows up. The list has expanded, as you probably already know
since last Christmas. Now she will be a veterinarian, a tennis player, a museum girl, (this recently replaced hair cut girl) and a rock star. I am currently
nurturing the rock star in her — costumes, microphones, technique, ‘Hannah Montana’ and ‘High School Musical’ — having felt that I could have had a
career myself on stage. OK, maybe not. I know you like the truth.
“I have checked out the gifts on U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission list of recalled toys to make sure they are safe and lead-free. Also, I made
sure they were age-appropriate and well-made.
“I am going to give you some help in getting some presents to boys and girls who would not have a very nice Christmas otherwise. Abby has already
set aside some toys. Maybe these children are missing a parent who is in the military or absent for another reason. Maybe they themselves are sick,
don’t have enough to eat or clothes to wear. Please find a special surprise in your bag for all parents, relatives, foster parents, for those who are not
with their children this year and especially grandparents who are raising their grandchildren.
“Trust me, if I could live next door to all of my children and grandchildren, I would be the happiest person on Earth. However, I will only ask for this one
Christmas gift: I would like enough good health and time to be there in their lives as much as possible (or as much as they will allow).
“Yes, I know that the best present of all for any time of year is the gift of yourself, to live in each moment to the fullest, to be a good role model, to take
time for the little things and to try to make the world a kinder, healthier place to live in. No sleigh is big enough for all that.
“Please take care of yourself, and don’t work too hard. There are more elves these days that are willing to help if you can let go of some things. I know
you like your one big night, but you might want to learn to pace yourself a little better. I do worry about your weight and blood pressure and hope you
are remembering to have your check-ups and do what the doctor says. Yes, yes, I am working on all that, too.
“Santa, we want you around for a long time yet to come. We all still need a little magic reindeer dust.”
Have a question about food and nutrition, human development or family resource management? Contact Glenda DeFord, Consumer and Family
Sciences Extension Educator, at the Lawrence County Extension office, 924 16th St., in Bedford, at 275-4623 or gdeford@purdue.edu.
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