How Does Santa Make Out His List?
I'll let you in on a secret: I know Santa Claus. And I received a letter from him with his Christmas list.
"Dear Kristin,
"Thank you for the homemade cookies last year. For some reason, people seem to forget that I'm not planning to lose weight, thank you very much. I don't have a peanut allergy and I'm not lactose intolerant. Up here at the North Pole, we don't get nonsense like that. But you wouldn't believe some of the notes I get in lieu of cookies.
"'Santa, you're too fat, get real, love Dr. Phil?Dear Santa, you're in violation of the no-fly zone, signed, the Coalition?Dear Santa, you're using slave labor and oppressing our elf minorities, peace, the Rev. Jesse Jackson?Dear Santa, you're cruel to reindeer, sincerely, PETA?Dear Infidel Santa, we shall eliminate you, signed al-Qa'eda.'
"I was never designed to be politically correct. Right jolly old elf and all that. I'm tired of all this nonsense from people who have forgotten what Christmas used to stand for.
"So, here's my Christmas list. I won't stop delivering toys, but I will start at least expecting a little something in return after all these years.
"1. Dear al-Qa'eda: I have nothing against Allah. Or Jesus Christ or Buddha or anybody's God. I dislike murder in the name of religion. I deliver to all the children who you're going to someday teach to blow themselves up. I deliver love. Your mullahs always say Islam is a religion of love and peace. And for the record, several of my elves are gay. Do I hate them? No.
"2. Dear television news media: Please stop saying 'Christmas stress.' You create Christmas stress. Thousands of miracles happen every day from babies being born to people being rescued to children deciding that someone else needs help. And yet you deliberately choose to talk about alcoholism, murder, sex, family quarrels, and above all, endless materialism. Not to mention celebrities. Who elevated these people to all-knowing status? Who cares what Christmas toy they buy or endorse? And please stop criticizing people for having religious beliefs. If the President of the United States can't express faith in God, there is something wrong with this world. You are only helping those who use religion as an excuse for hatred and greed.
"3. Dear celebrities: Stop making movies where I am the bad guy. There is precious little wonder and innocence in children's lives. And while you're at it, stop taking your clothes off and blowing up people in your films. Give me more 'Seabiscuit.' Steven Spielberg is always on my nice list. I loved the 'Shrek' movies.
"4. Dear advertising executives: Stop using me to sell things that no one uses. We don't need all this stuff. It's getting in the way of our family time, our planet's well-being, our faith and our happiness.
"5. Dear parents: Please stop telling children I don't exist, that I'm evil, and that it's not necessary to be good all year because you will buy them what they want. Whatever happened to kindness? To being good just because it makes someone happy? Because it's the right thing? I can tell you right now that there are quite a few kids, and several of you, who are getting coal in their stockings. It's tough love, which is what you do when someone's headed down the wrong road. It's called parenting and I've got millions of your children to help raise. Hey, at least I'm not the government. Or the television. By the way, turn off all those electronic devices and spend time with your families. I know that there are plenty of you out there who would give your right arm to be able to do just that. I love children. And I love all of you too.
"6. Dear Dr. Phil: I'm happy just the way I am. Thank you.
"7. Dear PETA: You're getting too extreme. My reindeer have better working conditions than in industrialized nations.
"8. Dear Rev. Jesse Jackson: When my elves have the victim consciousness, high teen pregnancy rate, high arrest rate, high drug use rate, and lack of education that your followers have, then I'll consider emancipating them.
"9. Dear Coalition: God and I were here first. I'm immune from no-fly zones and I don't play politics. I do however support the military.
"10. Dear Jesus Christ, YHVH, Allah, Buddha, Great Spirit, et al.: Keep up the good work.
"Love, Santa.
"P.S. from Mrs. Claus: Will women please stop trying to be a size 2?"
You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout?
Movie reviewer/screenwriter Kristin Johnson composes personalized poems, speeches, toasts, vows, and family memories. Visit http://www.poemsforyou.com to order your personalized memories. She is also co-author of the Midwest Book Review "enthusiastically recommended" pick Christmas Cookies Are For Giving: Stories, Recipes and Tips for Making Heartwarming Gifts (ISBN: 0-9723473-9-9). A downloadablemedia kit is available at our Web site, http://www.christmascookiesareforgiving.com, or e-mail the publisher (info@tyrpublishing.com) to receive a printed media kit and sample copy of the book. More articles available at http://www.bakingchristmascookies.com
Most of the plants we associate with the holiday season... Read More
Unique "Drop-A-Hint" Plan Sends Your Gift Wishes Via E-mailSure, they... Read More
Here you are, facing the holiday season alone. Have you... Read More
What does your holiday season usually look like -- a... Read More
It can be very hard to find that one perfect... Read More
Have you ever thought what you would do without your... Read More
Thanksgiving is the time of year when we stop and... Read More
Choosing a birthday gift for a friend about to turn... Read More
A birthday gift is the opportunity to show your loved... Read More
For most people that don't enjoy wearing messy makeup, Halloween... Read More
Time is money, and right now you don't have either... Read More
The Holiday Season. Does time seem to compress, or is... Read More
Do you remember the days when your mother used to... Read More
Now that the hot weather is finally here, we are... Read More
Mother's Day is approaching fast. This year it falls on... Read More
Valentine's Day can be a depressing day when you're in... Read More
Depending on the age of your little ones, you may... Read More
1. Knowledge is Power. Whatever the area of collecting ?... Read More
Regardless of age, almost everyone can remember at least a... Read More
Admit it! You promised this year was not going to... Read More
The DilemmaAs a mom of a five-year-old girl, I have... Read More
Ho, Ho, Ho, Holiday greetings to you!Every year at this... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of November 29,... Read More
At the end of the movie "Braveheart," William Wallace is... Read More
Ever wonder why there's an "Easter Bunny"? Ever wonder why... Read More
If you're having a Halloween party you need to play... Read More
No matter how old we are, we enjoy being remembered... Read More
Mother's Day, Do you know what you're giving the woman... Read More
How to develop and heighten rapport on Valentines Day beyond... Read More
Fathers Day is the one day of the year when... Read More
As we enter into the month of November my thoughts... Read More
Valentine's Day is just around the corner which of course... Read More
Candy canes are everyone's favorite holiday treat. Just think about... Read More
Memorial Day is a day for remembering those who have... Read More
Sure, you can call it a Hallmark holiday. But don't... Read More
We all wish there was more time in a day.... Read More
Mother's Day is, in many countries, a day for celebrating... Read More
A Creative Dream Come TrueA hush falls over the room... Read More
Many of us are probably squeezing out our brains to... Read More
Christmas is always the time of year we consider to... Read More
Do you remember the days when your mother used to... Read More
If you are like me and are a very lousy... Read More
If your product or service can be given as a... Read More
With Mother's Day approaching fast, it's time to begin thinking... Read More
Monday, May 30th is Memorial Day. Your local florist can... Read More
The 4th of July is a time for celebrating Freedom!... Read More
When I think of Valentines Day I think of Chocolates... Read More
When it comes to Halloween there's no lack of variety... Read More
It's the holiday season, and the first thing that comes... Read More
Close your eyes and remember December, the smell of cinnamon... Read More
Holiday Holiday |