DEAR SANTA

Sixty-four year old “Gail” suffers from thymus cancer. She was diagnosed three years ago and has been through chemotherapy and radiation to no avail. She is divorced and is raising her two grandchildren; “Kelly”, thirteen, and “Arnie”, ten. Arnie’s developmental age is impaired due to being born with fetal alcohol syndrome.

Kelly and Arnie’s parents have not seen the children for years. Their father, Gail’s son, was in prison for seven years while their mother just left them on Gail’s doorstep one evening several years ago, knowing Gail would take them in. Gail lives in a very small two-bedroom home. The two children share a bedroom.

Gail has two other children who are devoted to her. Her son “Frank” is temporarily staying with her and sleeps on the couch to help out as she needs. He was recently laid off and is available to help out full time. Gail’s daughter, “Shelley” lives nearby and is with her mom on a daily basis. The plan is for Shelley and Frank to raise the two children after Gail dies.

Gail never complains and states, “I have had a good life.” She uses humor to cope and is realistic about her situation. She speaks openly about her dying which is a comfort to her children as Shelley recently stated, “It helps all of us to know how she is doing and what she is needing.”

I went out to do a visit today and Gail showed me the letter that Kelly wrote to Santa Claus. It made Gail cry tears of pride for her granddaughter. This is a family that doesn’t have much by society’s standards, but the love Gail has for her two children and her grandchildren is priceless.


DEAR SANTA


I wish for an I-pod
to hear my favorite songs.
I could download music so easily
and hear Justin Bieber sing.

Why does my Nana have to suffer?
Could you take away her pain?
She shouldn’t have to go through this.
It just is so unfair.

She’s been sick for quite a while.
I see her getting worse.
Santa, can’t you do something
to give her back her health?

It’s hard to see her suffer.
She’s been through way too much.
She’s raising me and my brother.
Why is she so sick?

Did I share my favorite music?
Did I tell you what I want?
The I-pod would be nice,
but then, my Nana is still sick.