Dear Santa,

It's me Scotty...

Can we talk?

I know there is a very good chance my name 

is not going to appear on the "Nice" list this year.

I realize in your omnipresence that

you have most likely seen some stuff

that shot me right into the number one

position on the "Naughty" list.

I tried really, really hard to be good but,

I broke some stuff...not limited to...

but including parts of our house.

I wasn't always nice to my mom and dad,

and I pulled my sister's hair and hit the 

people that love me and take care of me.

And I yelled...oh how I yelled...

 But I am really, really, really sorry.

I know you get this a lot,

but it really was out of my control,

and as devastating as it was to everyone else
it was terrifying for me.

 But I am better now.

Whatever was making me hurt inside 

doesn't hurt so much anymore.

I still struggle everyday and I probably

always will, but I know one thing for sure...

No matter how "naughty" I am my mom and dad

will never, ever, ever give up on me,

and even when my devilish alter ego makes an unwanted
appearance they will never stop loving me.

So dear Santa my list this year will be very short

since I really have everything I will ever need.

If I absolutely had to come up with a list it would be

 pretty much identical to my list from last year...

and the year before that...and the year before that...

A guitar, a baby, a snake, and a slinky.

But what I really, really, really want this year

Santa, is for my sisters to come home.

I miss them every single day, and

nothing makes my mom happier than when
we are all sleeping under one roof.

Merry Christmas Santa.
And I hope you can forgive me.

Hugs and wet slobbery Angel kisses,

Love, Scotty

P.S.  I am not making any promises but I am really, really,

gonna try to make the "Nice" list this year.

 

♥It's A Wonderful Life♥

Halleluiah

Praise the Lord

It's finally here..

 Parade Day!

All year long any route that takes us in the vicinity of our Main Street (which is usually daily) causes Scotty to ask about the parade.  As soon as the first Christmas decorations hit the stores his parade frenzy kicks into high gear and brings about an onslaught of near constant frantic signing.  His litany of questions includes, but is not limited to the following: Can we go to the parade?  Can we sit at Debbie's office to watch the parade?  Will she have cookies? Mom will you come too?  Dad will you come too?  Then he will list the cast of characters he wants to see there... and it is a very looooooong list.

And repeat ad nauseam...

for hours...

for days...

and for months.

Personally, I usually can't wait for the parade

TO BE OVER.

So we can finally get a brief reprieve 

from the daily line of questioning. 

 His persistence and tenacity are

 to be applauded I suppose. 

However, this year something changed.

As I looked around at the faces that
surrounded this boy of ours,

 most of whom have long ago

grown out of their "Parade Years,"
I realized once again just how blessed we are.

The adults no longer come to watch

 their children in the parade,

and the children, now adults, have long 

outgrown the magic of Santa Claus. 

Yet every single year those that are 

available come to the parade.

They come for Scotty.

I realized that this yearly tradition quite possibly

would have fizzled out by now

if not for this sweet boy of ours.
This boy who still believes in Santa.
This boy who reminds us how important it is
to always keep the joy and mystery of
Christmas in our hearts.

 As we wait for the parade to begin,

Scotty anticipates the arrival of every one on "his list."

 As each new person arrives and he tells them where to sit,

his JOY grows almost to immense for his body to contain.

He nearly vibrates with ecstasy.

I believe now that his parade attendance
check list is a also a place for
counting his blessings. 

I see my son cocooned in unconditional love by friends 

who would move heaven and earth to make him happy.

It leaves me nearly breathless with gratitude.

No longer will I dread the upcoming 

parade and the onslaught of questions.

Instead I will anticipate it with 

as much enthusiasm as Scotty

as a time to count our blessings.

IT REALLY IS 
A WONDERFUL LIFE!

"Remember, no man is a failure 

who has friends." 

Parade Memories
From Christmases long, long ago... 

Now the serious
 countdown begins...