When I asked people to send letters to me a few weeks ago, so I could get them to Santa, I did not think that I would receive so many.
Letters came from, China, Venezuela, Alaska, and even the remote country of New Jersey. A man in Moscow sent me a fur cap with flaps, which I understand is called an уша́нка. A woman from Canada sent a harmonica. Many have sent photographs, greeting cards, business cards, and a few have even sent their income tax returns.
My desk is buried in envelopes, and I am still working on reading all the letters, I am not half way through, and more letters keep arriving. And I’ll be honest, it has been eye opening. I truly mean that.
The first thing I can honestly say I have learned after reading so many letters from so many good people is: People are alike.
No matter where they are from, no matter what someone’s age, race, or creed, I have learned that everyone genuinely wants the same basic human thing: Money.
No, that was only a joke. What I actually learned is that everyone wants to be loved. I know this isn’t exactly new information, but if you were to read this statement over and over again, like I have, it might start to make an impression.
But enough from me. Here are a few excerpts from letters:
LAUREN, QUINCY; MASSACHUSETTS—“I want Santa to make me skinny this year. And if he won’t do it then I’ve decided I’m just going to be happy being fat.”
JULIA; WASHINGTON D.C.—“Help, I don’t know how to do calculus, Santa, and I’m barely holding onto a C, please do something.”
ZETA; ATLANTA—“Fix this weather, Santa. Hot and cold and hot and cold, I can’t figure out what to wear and it’s hard trying to dress cute.”
MYRA; HOUSTON, TEXAS—“Tell Santa that I am 24 years old, and I think I’m somewhat pretty, I totally know I’m not ugly, but I can’t seem to find a boy who will see the real me instead of just seeing my wheelchair.”
MIKE; SURREY, CANADA—“I am a single guy, and my brother is a widower and I moved in to help him raise his children. They have given my life a new meaning and just want to tell Santa that I don’t need anything this year because I have family.”
ELLEN (age 12); TAMPA, FLORIDA—“Santa, my dad said you’re free to help yourself to the beer in our fridge when you stop by.”
BOB; ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA—“As a priest, Santa, you are my hero. I ask humbly that you would make me your apprentice.”
DOROTHY; MODESTO, CALIFORNIA—“I just want to be free from chronic pain and get my life back.”
LEWIS; HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA—“I miss my brother at Christmas time, he was my partner in crime. May he rest in peace.”
JAMES; DESTIN, FLORIDA—“I am a financial advisor, Santa, who is building a client base and I want to offer you an exciting investment opportunity, give me a call and we can talk about your financial future!”
DONNA; BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA—“I want my cancer to disappear, but more than that, I want the teenage girl who takes chemo with me every Wednesday to get better.”
TONYA; ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA—“I love you, Sean, but that beard needs to go. You’re not bigfoot.”
AARON; FAIRBANKS, ALASKA—“I would like to make friends in my new school even though I’m shy and I get scared to talk to them. It’s hard.”
JODI; COLORADO SPRINGS—“…For my mom and dad to get back together.”
LANCE; COLUMBUS, GEORGIA—“I wish the girl in my homeroom would notice me because I’m a great guy if she would only get to know me.”
SHIRLEY; DOTHAN, ALABAMA—“I miss my dad and I hope he misses me, wherever he is.”
WILL; LUFKIN, TEXAS—“I wish old people would remember to turn off their blinkers.”
ANONYMOUS; BREWTON, ALABAMA—“For people to quit talking behind my back about me. Get a life, ladies.”
CARL; MONTEAGLE, TENNESSEE—“To see my kids more often.”
PETRA; PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA—“I only want to see my kids this Christmas, that’s enough for me.”
SANDI; RED WING, MINNESOTA—“I’d like for my kids to come visit me once in awhile.”
MEREDITH; KANSAS CITY—“My kids haven’t been to see me in a few months.”
SARA; PLANO, TEXAS—“I miss my kids so much.”
PATRICIA; CONCORD, MISSISSIPPI—“I wish my dad would take control of his health and quit sitting on his big butt and eating chips.
STEPHEN; SHAWNEE, KANSAS—“Santa, please help my son get better, I can not bear to lose him. God can take me instead.”
DANIELLE; ANDERSON, INDIANA—“I want to fall in love just once.”
TABITHA; BRISTOL, VIRGINIA—“My father deserves the best Christmas ever, Santa, this will probably be his last one.”
ALVIN; BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA—“Santa, I sat down to write you a letter and I tore it up because I realized that a lot of people have bigger needs than me.”
LORRAINE; JOPLIN, MISSOURI—“Santa, I just found out I’m pregnant. I look forward to you visiting my house in the years to come. Bring diapers.”
RHONDA; MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA—“I get so depressed sometimes, I really want to feel like I’m not a waste of oxygen.”
TINA; LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA—“I want to go home to Mississippi.”
GARY; TIANJIN, CHINA—“I just want to come home.”
LAURIE; NEW YORK CITY—“Santa, please get me home.”
MARTIN; ORLANDO, FLORIDA—“Dear Santa, I want my mom to get over my dad’s death and remarry.”
SAMMY; UNMARKED—“Thanks for bringing my son’s dog back home, Santa. I love him so much and I love you, too.”
ME: Merry Christmas to all, and thank you for the letters. I will do my best to make sure they get into the right hands.
SANTA CLAUS: I’m way ahead of you.
21 comments
Leigh Amiot - December 10, 2019 11:18 am
I read this as a prayer list and just prayed my way through this column, Sean. Well, I didn’t pray that old people would turn off their blinkers, but may angels guide them safely on their way. Now I need to dry my eyes and blow my nose. Love to all.
Elizabeth - December 10, 2019 11:23 am
Sean, you make the world better! You spread hope and cheer! That’s a beautiful and very important thing, sort of like Santa!
Terri - December 10, 2019 11:50 am
Lovely Sean, I just read these with tears streaming down my face. You are a good man, love you much. Terri
LeAnne - December 10, 2019 11:52 am
These are beautiful. Thank you, Sean. Merry Christmas!
Greyn - December 10, 2019 12:37 pm
Dear San, I mean Sean,
Still dark up here in Maine. We are way Down East. Just glanced out in the yard only to discover that my blinker is still on. Probably from yesterday or the day before. Right turn indicated. Ha. Comforting to me to know that next time I turn right, that’s one chore out of the way. Hope Santa will resist being used as an instrument of control or worse, retribution. All the same, between now and Christmas I will make an effort to stanch the blinking if it will brighten someone’s Christmas.
Steve - December 10, 2019 12:57 pm
Steve, Huntsville, Alabama. I wish my mother hadn’t fallen yesterday. I wish Alabama did not have a law that states if you fall two times in a assisted living/memory care home within a 30 day window; you can no longer live there. I wish our family, no I pray our family strength as we move her from the Memory Care Home we love to the nursing home we no nothing about.
And I wish the cancer tumors in my liver will shrink, and that God will give me more days on this earth.
That’s all. Sorry it’s a lot to ask.
Maria - December 10, 2019 1:27 pm
Dear Santa, please grant all these people their wishes. But don’t forget to keep giving Sean the gift of being a witness to our lives so we never forget how truly blessed we all are.
Maria
Karen - December 10, 2019 1:29 pm
God bless us, every one.
No Name This Time - December 10, 2019 1:35 pm
I can relate to the young girl in a wheelchair. We’re overlooked and ignored. It hurts sometimes.
Martin - December 10, 2019 1:40 pm
People are inherently good. We just keep getting in our own way.
Karen - December 10, 2019 2:02 pm
Praying for all! Merry Christmas!
Shelton A. - December 10, 2019 2:08 pm
Great letters…if people aren’t seeking love then they are asking for acts of love. Most people are, at the heart of things, actually pretty good. That’s a relief…all we hear on the news is that people hate each other. Great work, Santa, keep it up.
Connie Havard Ryland - December 10, 2019 3:39 pm
Oh my heart. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Love you Sean. Hugs to you and Jamie and the pups.
Edna Barron - December 10, 2019 3:56 pm
I really enjoyed this post. As for what I want, I have everything. I wake up every morning, I have my little dog and my family and friends. And I thank God for everything. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.
Ala Red Clay Girl - December 10, 2019 4:33 pm
So touching to read people’s heartfelt wishes. Here’s hoping that their wishes come true. But no matter what our circumstances are, may we all experience God’s gift of peace in our hearts this Christmas!
Linda Moon - December 10, 2019 4:40 pm
I agree with Donna from Birmingham most of all. I also wish one old person I know and love (no name revealed) would remember to turn ON the blinkers. I believe that there’s always Someone who’s way ahead of us. Keep the beard, SANTA SEAN!!
Suzanne Newsom - December 10, 2019 6:47 pm
Started Sears of Alabama Sunday afternoon. Did not get to read yesterday? Finished it this morning. Thank you for my Christmas Gift. Loved the book.
Peggy - December 10, 2019 7:15 pm
Omg I think I know Tonya. She always was one for clean shaven faces. But anyway I love you and your column. Happy Christmas and God bless you
Karen - December 10, 2019 8:34 pm
I think I agree with Tonya! At least trim it down so YOU are more visible than the fuzz.
Melissa C Williams - December 12, 2019 1:38 am
Dear Santa, I wish I had magic Powers that would allow me to grant all the folks on Sean’s list their hearts desire.💜
Susan I Gleadow - December 12, 2019 7:41 pm
I’m not crying… I love all of these and thank you for doing this Sean.