Dear Santa

Thank you for the presents last year. You gave me a lot of experiences to help me see just how blessed I am. I've been helped and been able to help. Thank you for guiding me through this year. I've stepped up to the experiences and challenges. Seen miracles happen, learned to cope with goodbyes, healed from a broken heart, tried new experiences, and even found time to enjoy the sun.

Santa, I still need your help. I've grown since I last wrote you. I still believe in you. But I still can't do everything on my own. I know you work closely with the One who can see the whole picture. Would you help me with a few gifts this year? I promise to give a few back.

* The world is huge and I still need to see it. I've got SOOOOOO many trips planned. Will you help me find people to travel with AND to figure out how to pull them all off?!

* I would REALLY like to get into Grad School. I just turned 25 and decided it was time I grew up and made my dream a reality. So if you could send the letter of acceptance I would REALLY appreciate it.

* My craft room has been severely neglected this year. I have all sorts of fabric, wooden cutouts, paper, a cricut, and flowers that need to be used. My creative brain needs to used before I completely lose it.

* Oh and if you send elves my way to help keep my house clean I won't complain.

* I would really love to run a half marathon without dying and become a Zumba Champion. Something about being healthy I think might help me.

* Okay I am not a cook, I LOVE to bake. I can bake but cannot cook. I'll try but if you will magically sprinkle something on my food to make it taste good--it would be appreciated.

* Last one--if you could just help make me a better daughter, sister, co-worker, home-owner, friend, student, leader, and woman, I could use it.

Santa lets face it, I don't have much to give. Well not much to compare to anyway. But I can give you these:

* Again my promise to never give up. To not back down from the challenges thrown into my life. Because despite what I think I know, I know squat.

* I promise to spend more time being quiet. Taking the time to think and rest. To shut out the world and be still. My brain will have a hard time with this--trust me.

* I promise to take better care of myself. By sleeping, exercising, and eating something beside chocolate covered cinnamon bears and cheerios.

* I promise not to loose hope. Especially in one particular dream. I will just put in on the back burner somehow. For the time being. But I'm not going to wait. I will create and focus on a few different ones.

I've had a great year Santa. Thanks for keeping my dreams alive! I can't wait to see what you bring me. I promise to leave all those sorts new treats and milk for you. By the way my tree is in my room this year. Needed to bring the Christmas feel into my room a bit.

Thanks Santa,

Love,

Melissa