Friday, December 03, 2010

the wishlist

My children are aware that Christmas is in 23 days. Already they are making their preparations for the big day. Snow flakes already adore most of the windows in our house, our advent calendar is hanging above the fireplace and letters to Santa are ready to post. After ruminating long and hard over what she would write, my eight year old daughter, Liv, stood up from the kitchen table with a letter for Santa clutched in her skinny, little hands. Hope and excitement lit her face.
"Do you think Santa can bring whatever you ask for if you only ask for one thing?", she whispered.
"It depends what it is, I suppose", I answered nervously imagining pink polka-dotted unicorns and hot-air balloon rides to the moon being requested. I was surprised when she handed over her note.
Her words make me vacillate between laughter and tears....
I don't know what I'd do without these little people who make life so much harder and some much more bearable in one motion.

P.S. Briar asked for a remote control monster truck taller than his head. Not as emotionally charged, but certainly enough to strike fear in a mother's heart. How the HECK is Santa going to pull off Christmas????

15 comments:

Jessica said...

What a sweet and heartbreaking note. Please tell Olivia that we both want the same thing for Christmas. Best wishes to you all.

Pete, Ali, Charlie and Rosie said...

Made me cry. I'd really like my Dad back for Christmas too. You must be so proud of your beautiful girl. Hoping Father Christmas can rustle up a sparkly new DS for her (and I hope his reindeer can carry that GINORMOUS monster truck!) Thinking of you all an sending hugs from across the pond. X

leigh in the sav said...

a beautiful, thoughtful note, from a beautiful, thoughtful little girl.

still thinking of you.

much love.

Anonymous said...

Tears, hugs and love to you three . . .

~C~

Anonymous said...

Aw, Liv. :(

World Wide Alternative said...

'Plop'...
That was my little tear for Liv.
Followed closely by a snigger through my nose for Briar...XXxx.

Boo said...

oh Jackie, thank you for sharing that with us, because it must have been hard to do so. It brought big sobs to me, because it just isn't fair that such lovely children should know this loss. I may be biased ... but it just seems so fucking wrong, so wrong. Like the universe slipped on a banana skin. What a beautiful selfless girl you have raised ... why am I not shocked ;-)

Love and hugs to you, Boo xx

darcie said...

What can I say?
Wow.
Liv...What a kid she is...
My wish is that Santa could grant her her one wish...
oh how I wish that...
I love you guys!
xoxo

Jenn said...

bittersweet...hoping you all have a lovely christmas, despite the sadness of being without the one thing you want the most. hugs

Buck said...

What a beautiful letter. Thank you for sharing it.

And, umm, good luck with the monster truck.

Abby Carter said...

Aww shoot. They sure know how to get us don't they? I usually get my kids a gift and say that its from Daddy... Maybe that can be the DS.

Hawkfeather said...

Children have such a great perspective on things- without even knowing your husband jackie- I have to wager he would have loved that letter- Daddy or a DS.

I do wish you the nest for the holidays Jackie- you are very much loved!

Hawkfeather said...

pretend i can type.

Jay Cosnett said...

Actually, a nest for the holidays sounds very nice.

Not much to add to her beautiful note except, "Me, too. Me, too."

XXX

Sara said...

maybe you could make her a special dvd with videos of her daddy...

sweet baby girl...if only Santa could...