How nice of you to take the time to write to me. It seems the art of letter writing is dying much like so many traditions there in Ireland. I'm lucky I get so many letters to read though and often I reopen them during the year esp these days as there is so much time to enjoy them.
I must admit you gave me many emotions to deal with when I read your letter. Dear girl you made me laugh at the memories of your childhood wishes. The period one made Mrs Claus almost choke. That request is one of her favourites and so many children naively want that one but we would never deliver that particular present.
The rag doll young lady was brand new I'll have you know and took quite a chuck out of your Mammy and Daddys food money. They struggled a lot that year but still managed to put enough aside so that you could all enjoy Christmas. If it stank it's only because I had to deliver a few things early and with eight nosy children in the house they had to get pretty creative hiding the presents. Poor rag doll was in the boot of the car for that long I'm surprised she didn't come out as a spare wheel. But I know you loved her a lot
The duck on wheels was not my fault. It was a mix up between what your sister requested and the cuteness of her sneaking out of bed to switch the presents. To be honest your face was priceless and your sister wore a lot of guilt over that for about five seconds. I still laugh at the indignant way you dragged that poor duck all over the garden telling it how useless it was. Ah great memories
But Valerie you're older now and it's time for a little honesty. The truth is never nice but sometimes people need to hear it. Valerie I cant promise you your wishes for empty chairs to stay full or for people to be all together this christmas day, I cant promise any of that because that power is not mine. Yes I have magic and what you're asking for is there to be reached. It's just I cant reach it for you.
What you want lies in your heart and in the hearts of the people on your beautiful island. What you want is wrapped inside of you and all you have to do is dig deep. Stay inside, stop the crazy shopping and the gatherings of people celebrating nothing for the same of celebrating something. Remember once more what the meaning of christmas is. Strip it back and burn the wrapping of unnecessary trimmings you've all become accustomed to.
For the next six weeks turn to love and patience, take the time to unwrap memories of how your parents lived. The honesty, the pureness that somehow has been replaced by greed and money
Take the time to wonder how they would deal with this crisis. Stop seeing the restrictions as some kind of punishment and embrace them as a chance to get this right, dont arrive at December 1st with a mission to run to shops and houses and parties just to drive yourselves back into yet another lockdown.
Take your time. And wish instead for everyone to do the same. For everyone to remember where they came from and celebrate the lives of your past family and upbringing. This year everyone has a chance to return the Christmas past to our present. Those chairs will not be empty if you all just take your time
Valerie I know you miss your children but for every wave of loneliness you feel you will feel a wave of pride at how amazing they are. For every gut of pain felt by their absence they too feel that gut of pain that they wont be around your table Christmas day. But they have a table and they have people they love sitting at it and on Christmas day you will all share in each others love, together just apart.
Valerie for the next six weeks wish that everyone there will stay together apart and maybe, just maybe a little of my magic will have worked in this message
And maybe there will be no more empty chairs, just full hearts and memories made.....
That is my wish for you all
My best regards
Santa claus
Valerie Masters
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