Santa's Response

Dear Stizzle,

You are on top of your game this year! In fact, you are the first letter I've received for the upcoming holiday season. I appreciate your organization and thoughtfulness for writing me so soon.
As per your requests...
I would love to give you a fun toddler device that would change your little boy into a well behaved child, but as you already said, such a device does not exist. I will say, as long as you keep loving him, and smiling through the tough times, he will turn out to be a great young man.
Your requests make me out to be God-like...this, I am not. Keep your thoughts positive, and your goals in perspective. Life will throw you curve balls, but as long as you keep your eye on the ball...you should have no problem hitting it out of the park.
Now...be sure to sit down with Little Man and help him write a list for me. I look forward to hearing back from you and your family.

Love, Peace and Holiday Cheer for All,
Santa

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I know my wish list is a bit preemptive...But I couldn't wait to write to you to request a few small miracles things.

1)a device that will turn my toddler from a hellion into a good little boy again.

2)patience...since you and I both know that such a device does not exist.

3)a savings account that will allow me to purchase a home for myself and little man.

4)the motivation to keep my house clean, and the laundry put away.

5)companionship...Not from you Santa (although, I think you're a great guy and all...) this is more of an "in general" request. (also, please notice how I didn't say Husband or Boyfriend like I have said in years past...maybe this is a sign that I'm growing up...Maybe it's a sign that I'm alright with a great friend...Whatever it is, I hope you can help out)

6)a winning fantasy football team.

7)strength, both physical and emotional.

I really think I've been a "good girl" this year (if you don't count that one time...you know what I'm talking about...). Nobody's perfect, right? I'm sure I'll be sending you a more updated list soon.

Thanks Santa! Much Love,
Stizzle.

Motivating?

Dear Me,

Please start following through with life. Thanks much. Bye.

Dreaming a good Dream.

I fully understand and believe that dreams are not meant to be interpretted literally. On that note, I am going to go against the grain, and hope the dream I had last night literally becomes a reality sooner than later. I won't bore you with the details...just know that it involved me and my famiy, a real estate agent, and my grandmothers house (which was sold a good fifteen years ago...).

Things that make me go Hmmm.

At the risk of having an Andy Rooney moment...here are some things/concepts I just can't seem to grasp:

How my house seems to turn into a disaster area within the blink of an eye.

I have a lot of people in my cell phone directory...why do I spend most of my nights alone?

How am I going to acheive my goal of becoming a homeowner in the next two and a half years, when I can hardly seem to afford to pay the bills I currently have?

Allergies.

The reasoning (or lack there of) of a 2 1/2 year old little boy.

Laundry. Loads and Loads of laundry.

The reasoning (or lack there of) of men.

Immediate family.

Neighbors in apartment buildings.

Neighbors in general.

Luck.

Heartache-filled Void.

"I want my daddy." The words feel like a a dull sword slowly slicing away at my heart. I try to tell him he has his mommy...and that his mommy loves him very much. I make every attempt to reassure him of this. My heart aches for the void he feels. I wipe silent tears from my eyes. I wish things were different.

Help.

When you witness a friend self destructing...and they keep saying how horrible things are for them...yet they keep making the same destructive decisions causing their life to be so horrible...when is enough, enough?

I have known her for about four years. We've maintained a telephone friendship...rarely hanging out in person due to geographic variances. When I had little man, that was an added reason for me to stay a bit closer to home. She was in a "serious relationship" and had turned into a "we person" making her life too busy to be able to come to my neck of the woods (which I really didn't hold against her).

The "serious relationship" recently ended...and our conversations about her mental health grew immensely. She's been in treatment before. She constantly tells me she shouldn't drink, yet she consistently ends up with people who are drinking...which always results in her getting extremely drunk.

The next day is always the same. The conversation is: "I had a horrible night. I ended up getting wasted, calling (insert random guy here). I really need help. I really need to go to treatment." I reply with "I'm here for you. Yes, you need help. AA is free, and I really think it would be a great start." To which the advice is met with resistance...

I bite my tongue as much as possible..but a few slip ups of my strong opinions are inevitable. We never get into a fight about her sobriety...but each time she tells me she has gone out and drank herself into a stupor, my feelings of empathy slowly fade away.

I wish I knew how to solve her issues. As time goes on, I am realizing that task is darn near impossible. I hate to say this, but I'm slowly giving up hope that she will be healthy.

So, again...I ask you: When is enough, enough?