Dear Santa

Dear Santa Claus/ Saint Nicholas/ Father Christmas/ etc.:

Heey, big guy. How's it been? Haven't seen you in almost a year, for heaven's sakes.

Anyway, figured I'd write you a letter. I know I haven't taken the time to do this since I was a kid (and I rarely did so then, either)... but I'm much older now, in many ways, and I figured it would be interesting to type something up regardless of my age.

I'd better warn you though, bud-- I type a heck of a lot.

You'll probably get the whole cookie shebang again, man. You know how mum loves to bake stuff, what with her sugar addiction and all! I'll be sure to leave a whole freaking plate out; just make sure you share! It's not healthy to eat that many sweet things, and I say that from (rather painful) experience.

Back to business, though. Christmas lists. For eeeverybody.

Let me think... Diamond would really, really like a Wii. He's been dying to play Brawl for ages! We'll just have to make sure he doesn't go all 'junkie' over it like he sometimes does. I think he needs something else to keep him happy, though. He only has his video games, and I'm glad they're helping, but... you know what I mean.

Ditto that with Viral! I'm not sure what he really wants... maybe some epically awesome stuff in WoW, aha. ^^ Try to snag him some if you can! Otherwise, just keep his friendships going strong, if you can. He has a ton of fun with those crazy kids, and I'm so glad to see him smiling again. I don't want him losing that if anyone can help it.

Lightning-man is another gift bugger. If you could get him some new software or some more memory for his computer so he can run his emulators, I think that would work. As for needs, Blase needs some true friends and he needs my mother to really lay off the harsh comments and biting ridicule. I know how that feels, and I can see how badly it's hurting him. So give him a little extra boost of self-confidence if you can. He needs it.

Now for the mom. Um... if you could help her pay off her bills and help her finally get her own house, that would mean worlds to her, I'm sure. Also, I don't know if you can help with the whole 'dad's not paying enough child support' thing, but if you can then please do. Money's horribly tight, and I know she worries about that far more than the healthy amount.

Plus, if you could get her a few days off from work so she can sleep and/or shop and/or go somewhere with her girlfriends, I think she can use that too.

Grandparents... huh. If you could help fix our car and some of the busted-up machinery around the house, that would help my grandfather immensely (that, and if you could somehow get the furnace to stop going out!). Also, get him a hearing aid or something, but keep it secret... his hearing is going, but he's too proud to admit it most of the time.

My grandmother could definitely use a day off, I think! She's always working around the house, and I feel bad that I'm never home to help. For needs, I know for a fact that if you could somehow get her sister to stop legally assailing our family, that would be the biggest relief I can imagine for her and the rest of us. I'm rather sick of all these property wars and blackmail and scandals and extra bills, and I'm not the only one. Oh yes, and if you could let her win at least some part of the lottery for once, that would be greatly appreciated!

Put a word in to God to keep them both healthy, too. All the stress and worry is beginning to really hurt them, plus they're already up in age. I don't want to lose them anytime soon, if that can be helped. Please try.

Dad. I don't get to see him much now, and I never really did, but... whatever he really needs for Christmas, please try and give that to him. Actually... if you could get him to stop smoking and binge-drinking, I think that would help him the most in the long run. I worry about my father, even though the rest of my family wishes him ill. It would be nice if that stopped, too.

Lynne could use a nice Christmas dress and a peaceful evening where no one is fighting... Natalie could use the same, but I think she wants a pet or something to keep her company. Don't know why! But yeah, if you could get her a little mirror-dog then that would be great. Keep her smiling.

Laurie could use some more weapons, and if you could lace them with ice this time then-- oh, sorry. You probably can't go wrapping those up in bows and paper, right? My apologies! Figured I'd put a word in for her too, though.

Bakura wants some kick-ass cards and could probably use a snazzy new RPG to get lost in. I know he likes those, but he hasn't really had the time to play any lately.

I think Marik still wants to rule the world a little, but don't let him! I think he'd like a new motorcycle, though. Something seriously awesome, as he does like to show off. Oh, and if you can get his sister to come visit us that would be awesome.

I also know for a fact that Chaos would seriously appreciate it if the weather wasn't so freaking freezing up here! Poor dude can't even go outside with this northern weather. Speaking of fireplaces, though, get the blue guy some champagne (not too much). I know he can't process alcohol but he still likes annoying the heck out of Virus with the stuff (long story)! I guess Chaos really has no other need for material things, but his Chao do, haha. Make sure you leave some gifts for them, too.

Selph wants a ton of snow, as usual! That and he really wants to meet me in a lucid dream this Christmas, aha.

However, he's also mentioned to me (he's not the only one) that what he really wants is for some of my major problems to go away. They're really putting a strain on our relationship, and honestly, I don't want to see him cry anymore because of something that happened to me... but that's in the next paragraph.

My little Christmas list.

I want Chaos Zero's copyrights and I want them now. *shot*

But seriously, big guy, I honestly don't want anything material for Christmas either.

Yes, you heard me. I know mum's buying me a Zune, but that's just because I need memory space on my computer and a weapon against my vicious ADHD (especially when I try to exercise). I'd also like to learn how to use Flash and I'd like for Abbey to stop freaking out every five minutes and eating all my time, but all that's beside the point.

What I really want... is for Julie to finally shut up. I don't know if you can do that at all, but even if you can help a tiny bit, then please do.

That, and I need money. Lots of it. I don't want to sound selfish or greedy, but college isn't cheap-- especially when you're an art major and a full set of professional markers is a few hundred freaking dollars. So yeah, I need to pay off my expenses and loans, not to mention car payments and medical bills (which have spiked now thanks to therapy and medication)... copyrights and legal payments and registrations... and I need surgery come hell or high water.

I know, I know. Bizarre thing to ask the man in the red suit, right? But in all seriousness, if you could somehow get me an appointment ASAP with a legal and reliable surgeon or two, I wouldn't need another thing for Christmas until the day I die. I need my operations, regardless of what the family says, because the family doesn't know the sort of hell I'm bleeding in every freaking day now. Surgery is literally my last chance before I get hideously desperate.

Anyway, I'd also like for me to be a better kid overall. I haven't been the best recently, thanks to all the mayhem upstairs, so if you could once again ask good old God to give me a little extra help with that, I'd be terribly thankful.
Seems all I really want is to stop causing pain and problems for everyone else. Hey, it's the best Christmas present I can give them!

Lastly, I don't know if this counts as 'material' but I need an inspiration/ motivation boost big time. I'm falling behind in my work, and now I have actual job deadlines to meet! So a bit of help there would be worth millions.

Anyway, mister Claus, your eyes are probably shot from reading this darn thing (I know mine are) so I'll let you go now.

And don't feel daunted by my requests... remember, rule of thumb is to help the big family problems first, then the family, then me. I'm last on the list, bud, and don't you forget that. Best Christmas present I can get is seeing someone else truly happy, so even if you can't do anything for me then please do something amazing for someone else. Thanks, man.

Also, it's Jesus' freaking birthday for crying out loud. Make sure you wish him the best, too! He's being nice enough to share the holiday after all, haha. ^^

Have a spectacularly Merry Christmas, say hi to the wife for me, and enjoy the sights while you're out cruising the world! It's the best time of the year, dontcha know.

Oh yeah, and thanks a ton for your generosity and all over the years. You might not be able to get through the back (technically the front) door this year, though, as I was forced to relocate my tiny little art studio there... but I'll definitely make some room for you if you need it!

Best wishes and lots of love, big guy! See you soon!

Sincerely,

Jewel L.