‘I’d tell him to help people in need’
If Christmas and the jovial saint give us anything, surely it’s a little perspective
It’s the first year that we’ve written a letter to Santa with our son Patrick, who is four — the first year that he has been old enough to get excited about the concept of Christmas and frightened by the possibility of making the naughty list — and we took great pleasure in the process.
Thankfully the ‘wee man’ isn’t old enough to request ridiculously expensive computer consoles just yet (that time will inevitably come), so we got away with asking for a house with locks and keys (he’s obsessed!). Right now, Patrick has simple tastes and we couldn’t be happier.
As my wife Mairead (32), sealed the envelope and took Pat- rick off to the Guildhall in our home town of Derry to post his letter into the festive post box, however, I started thinking of what I might ask Santa for myself, now, today, as a fully-functioning, responsible, bill-paying 36-year-old adult with the benefit of hindsight.
Would I go back in time and amend previous letters? The idea of retroactive requests is appealing; especially considering the fact there exist of me photographs in full Michael Jackson mode, replete with black trilby, short trousers and a single sparkly white glove on my right hand.
Part of me would be sensible: ‘Dear Santa, can you please ensure that my family stay happy and healthy this coming year?’ Part of me would be selfish: ‘The new Radiohead chord book is £80, so, Santa, get your chequebook out.’
Having interviewed so many amazing, inspiring, selfless people over the past year, however, I can’t help but think of their example at this time of year. I admit that I am nowhere near as charitable as they are.
I’ve never previously run races for charity, or taken part in Movember, or volunteered at soup kitchens. But the older I get, the happier, more secure my family become and the more amazing people I interview — people who go out of their way to help the vulnerable on a daily basis; doctors, nurses, emergency services — the more I think about others in need.
The homeless, with nowhere to call home this Christmas pounding the streets the length and breadth of Northern Ireland.
The elderly, with no family, for whom Christmas is just another lonely day.
The unwell in their sick beds, counting down the hours, minutes, seconds until their fairy lights go out.
They are the people who need Santa’s attention, not me.
I would ask Santa to focus on them. Life can be hard. There are always bills to pay, cars to keep on the road, places to go and people to see, and not enough time in the day. But if Christmas, and the jovial saint at the heart of it, give us anything, surely it’s a little perspective.