Letter from Santa

Yes, you read that right. FROM Santa.

Last week, I was flipping through my mail when I got. I started to think about how easily it would be to get depressed if I wanted. Two pieces of junk mail. A Christmas card addressed to the former homeowners. A Christmas card from my travel agent. And a white envelope, with only the words "Still Single?" on the front. (Why yes, yes I am. Thank you.)

Something caught my eye as I flipped over the one piece of junkmail to tear it in half. The return address was from Finland.

I opened the envelope and pulled out the paper. It started...

Dear Cecilia,

Here at the Arctic Circle, we are all very much looking forward to Christmas again! As you may have guessed, the Elves are already busy preparing presents.

It goes on to talk about the special Elf task force dedicated to determine who had been good this year and how my name came up and how it showed I had been good all year. And how it's important to remember we need to be friendly and helpful and do our chores swiftly and take special care of the environment. It talks about how the reindeer are eating the special lichen for extra strength to make the most important journey of the year. Then Santa wishes me and my loved ones a very Merry Christmas and all the best in my life.

With all the crappiness of the preceding month or so, that letter, from the Santa Message Centre in Rovaniemi, Finland, where my sister submitted my name when she was there in June, not only lifted my spirits but reminded me why I love Christmas so much - the hope, the peace and the joy.

I may no longer believe in Santa, but I still believe in his magic.