All She Wants For Christmas

All She Wants For Christmas

Author: Maggie May

Snow had been falling for weeks covering the little town of Bellpoint, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, like a blanket. Most of the houses lining the road were barely visible. Some rooftops looked to be sagging with the weight of snow. The one snow plough broke down causing people to be snowed in, and, warnings of powerline breakage were announced on the local radio. Residents of Bellpoint prepared for the worst. Many households filled their bathtubs with water and as many buckets as they owned and as well, those that could afford it, stocked up on groceries in case the power went out.

Bellepoint was known across Nova Scotia as a nice little town with many good people. And, as a passerby—tourist—visitor, it sure looks that way. One little girl named Sarah wrote a letter to Santa Clause revealing her wishes for Christmas presents. The letter was found and because it meant so much it has been edited to understand the wishes of a nine year old Nova Scotian girl.

Dear Santa,

I have only one wish for Christmas.

I am nine years old, almost ten. I’m sure you remember me. I’ve been writing to you since I was five going on six. I did not write as well then, but maybe now that I do, you will grant me my Christmas wishes.

I’ve been given many toys over the years. My toy box is full. I’m not allowed to watch television, nor am I allowed to use the telephone. And, that’s OK, I would not know how to use one, besides Daddy says they are garbage and pure evil. He also says, he doesn’t want me talking to anyone, and only bad things are shown on television. I believe him Santa.

When I was five, my Mommy died. One night she and my Dad had a huge fight, I will never forget her screams and cries as she slipped and fell down the stairs. My first Christmas wish to you Santa, is please, pretty please, make sure my Mommy is with Angels and tell her how much I miss her, please. If you can, please give her a hug from me.

Shortly after my Mommy was buried, my Daddy started playing house with me. Daddy told me now that Mommy is gone I could pretend to be her. He said all houses need a Mommy and Daddy. And Santa, I believe him.

I do not play with the other children in town, nor do they come out to play. A little girl named Mary, same age as me, has a big round belly with tiny arms and legs. I see her from time to time as she steps outside her house next door to fetch the paper at the end of her driveway. She seems to have a hard time walking and especially when she bends down to pick up the paper, I see her place a hand on her back and rub her belly as she waddles back inside the house. Her face kind of looks like mine, she has black and blue rings around her eyes, sometimes only green and yellow. But, like me she doesn’t go to school and she is never seen outside for long. She never had a Mommy, it’s only her and her Dad over there. My second wish to you Santa is please, pretty please, don’t let my belly grow like hers—I don’t want to look like that and I’m OK with the different colors around my eyes, but I’m sure a belly like that I would never want. My Daddy told me my belly could look that way if we don’t do things his way. Santa, I believe him.

I was told that this snow may continue, please, please Santa I beg you, stop the snow. My Daddy goes away to work, but not when the weather is like this. I don’t like to play house very much, but when Daddy cannot go to work we always play. His breath does not smell very good and he always bites my ear, and Santa, it really hurts to play house with my Dad, I really do not like it. My Daddy tells me I must be good to him or I will have the black and purple rings on my eyes again. Santa, I really do believe him.

A few times my Dad crossed next door, and the man that lived there, came here. He played house with me and did things differently than my Daddy does. Santa, I somehow like what he does better. My Daddy told me I had to be the best Mommy to the neighbour so we could have food on our table. The following day, we had meat, vegetables, and chocolate cake for dinner. Santa, I always believe my Daddy.

Daddy told me Mommy is never coming back. He also said, a good Mommy never cries. Santa, I don’t want to believe my Daddy. I would like to believe in you Santa Clause, please, pretty please, show me you are real. Make the snow stop falling and Santa, bring me a Mommy. All I want for Christmas is my Mommy...

The little town of Bellpoint was covered in a heavy blanket of snow for nealy four months... The letters to Santa Clause were never answered. Sarah grew up and moved away. She never returned, but she did write letters to the group home asking about her two children she left behind...

©Nov/2011 Maggie May aka Nadine AuCoin