Dear Santa,

     I think I've done a little better this year.  I've tried really hard to be good.  I realize that I still have some work to do, but I almost always apologize to my husband whenever I yell at him because I'm easily irritated, hormonal or just plain tired and hungry.  I've done better being less judgmental and jealous of others...I think.  The kids are still alive and appear to still have some affection for me, so I must be doing an okay job.  If we still laugh and tease together, then I can't be all bad as a stepmom, right?  See, things are looking up for me.

Cocoa with marshamllows (or snowman poop)

     In return for my constant efforts at balancing work, church callings, friends, family, home and still keeping my sanity and sense of humor, I wonder if you could do a few things for me:  1. These Christmas goodies are getting out of hand.  Can you please make it so I lose weight when I eat them, instead of gain?  That would be such a big help!   2. Send those elves over some night.  I can keep them occupied for hours.  There's nooks and crannies all of the place here that I could use help cleaning.  The oven ain't looking so pretty.  Neither are the tops of the cabinets.  I'm ready anytime they are!   3. I need some help with my hair.  I love that it's long and pretty.  And my hair and I have come to a mutual understanding...I won't try to pull it and tease it in ways it doesn't want to go and don't lather it with product, and it in turn curls nicely for me so I can do the lazy-but-still-looks-good look.  We're pretty happy together.  My one complaint: it's turning a color I REALLY don't want it to be.  Grey may be in vogue somewhere in the world, but along with the wrinkles that have taken up residence at the side of my eyes, it makes me look older than I care to.  Please turn it back to it's original color...oh, and if you could get it to stop shedding like a dog's that would be an awesome bonus (plus it would help so the elves don't have so much work to do in the bathroom)!
     Santa, there's one other thing that's been bothering me.  For the last few years the one thing I've really wanted, I haven't received.  Will you check on your back order of babies?  I'm sure mine must be there somewhere!  Did it get sent to the wrong place maybe?  I'll pay the extra postage.  If you could get back to me as soon as possible on that front, I'd appreciate it!  It's been a lot of waiting and hoping and a lot of crying and heartbreak.  I'm really looking forward to when that package finally comes through!
     I realize you have an awful lot of people to please at this time of the year, so I've decided to make things a little easier for you.  If any of these requests are too hard to fill, I'd be willing to take the following instead: a kinder heart to find and serve those who are in more need than I, a patient soul so that I can have more clarity to understand lessons I'm supposed to be learning, the ability to see instead of loneliness, peaceful solitude, and the courage to find instead of the pain of childlessness, the appreciation for a loving husband and the best stepkids I could ask for.  Also if you could help me understand that the inability to have children is not a deficiency in me, that would give me solace.  After all, maybe the real reason isn't because there's something wrong with me, but that my natural mothering ability is so strong that I just don't need the practice that most people do.  Ah, I'm starting to feel better already!
     Most of all, help me to understand that I don't actually need all of these wants.  That all I really need is that Baby in the manger and the joy and good tidings and peace the angels brought that night so long ago in that small town of Bethlehem.
     My kindest regards to you and your wife...and all the reindeer of course.  I'll try to remember to leave some carrots out for them this year too.  Remember to stay healthy and safe.

Your friend,

Laura