A letter to Santa Claus…..

My last post for 2009 and I want to make it seasonal while keeping with my general style of not taking myself to seriously :-). I hope you have enjoyed reading my posts as much as I have enjoyed writing. 2009 represented a tough year for most and it’s important to be positive moving into 2010 BUT let’s not forget the important lessons we learned from the past. This letter to Santa captures what I mean.

Dear Santa, Sorry I haven’t written to you in a quite a few years. Since my last letter much water has passed under the bridge. I’ve now got two young daughters myself and I am helping the eldest write her letter to you. Got me thinking about how much you and the whole Christmas experience brought to my life. The anticipation, excitement, time spent with the family and let’s not forget the wonderful toys. I now realise that these toys were more than bringing a smile to my face but to teach me important lessons about life. As I have grown older many of the lessons have been forgotten which means I struggle with some of the challenges that life throws.

The Bicycle – Do you remember the bicycle you brought me? Wow it was amazing. Took me a while to grow into it and I was very shaky taking quite a few falls. Those cuts and bruises didn’t stop me though and I kept getting back onto the saddle. I guess I was young and stupid and full of determination. As the years passed by that determination has dimmed and I have found it increasingly difficult to pick myself back up. I have given up to easy when my experiences from learning how to ride my first bike tell me it is never easy and persistence is required.

The Football – You knew I always loved sport and I was thrilled with the size 4 O’Neill’s football. I spent hours practicing in the garden and was always the first one up to the GAA training…
Done well though and got myself to play a decent level. Although I was blessed with ability I know that my success was down to hard work. Nowadays I forget that little is achieved without hard work. I feel that life owes me and I deserve better when in fact life owes me nothing and I must put in the effort and go get what I want. That football taught me that hard work is essential to achieve your goals.

The Barbie Doll – Better not mention this Santa as I will be posting this letter on the internet 🙂

I assume you will be calling at our house this year as you have never let me down in the past and I know the girls will expect you. I really don’t want any presents but rather that you help me regain the lessons and attitude I had as a kid so that – I pick myself up when I fall down or get knocked back, I never give up, I put in the effort to help me succeed, I remember that life owes me nothing, I believe in myself and I see obstacles as a challenge and not an excuse to give up.

Thanks Paul