Opinion: Dear Santa

December 6, 2021 Submitted by Glenn Mangurian

Dear Santa,

I know this is a busy time of year for you. I hope you, Mrs. Claus and the elves are safe and healthy at the North Pole. Last year when I wrote to you, our family was wearing masks, washing our hands often and socially distancing. This year we are vaccinated and waiting for the next “normal”. Unfortunately our country is still divided along political, racial and economic dimensions. We could use some help healing.

While you are out delivering with the reindeer, could you bring some non-material things to the adults? I’ve assembled an expanded list of things we could really use. Maybe you could deliver a few of these.

• Hope for the families who are economically challenged and must stretch their resources to provide for
  food, housing and health care.
• Compassion for the homeless who live day to day
• Empathy toward people struggling with alcohol and opiate addiction
• Courage for those who advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion and who speak out against
  injustice
• Civility for our elected officials, public servants and our fellow citizens who debate different positions
  on social and political views
• Wisdom for those decision-makers whose choices affect the well-being of many and work to make
  our country a “more perfect union”
• Perspective for those who mistake their opinions as truth
• Gratitude for the military soldiers, first responders, health care workers and other essential workers
  who continue to risk their lives for our safety

The Christmas season is about caring for other people. Whether a believer or not, the spirit of Santa lives in the hearts of everyone who does something selfless for another person. I believe!

Happy holidays to the Claus family,

Glenn Mangurian is a Hingham resident of 35 years. His recent book, Pushing the Edge of Thought, Possibility, and Action, is available on Amazon. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at gmangurian@comcast.net