Dear Santa,

When I was little, I believed in everything that had to do with Christmas. I believed in elves, flying reindeer, and you. I believed that you were the most magical person who lived on the planet, and that you could just sprinkle a little bit of magic dust on anything and turn it into a bright, shining new toy. You were a symbol for all that comes along with Christmas.

But I’ve grown up, and I’ve realized that there is so much more to Christmas than just the red and green packages and the lights. I’m sure you have heard about some of the awful things that have happened to America this year: Donald Trump was elected president after spreading large amounts of hate and separation throughout the country that is symbolized for unity; there was a shooting in Orlando, Florida, where multiple people lost their lives and it was considered the deadliest shooting in the US; diseases such as the Zika Virus and Ebola have entered the United States as well.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized just how much “Christmas spirit” the world truly needs. So, considering this, these are the ten things that I’d like to wish for this Christmas.

I wish that:

• All homeless people find a warm shelter this winter.
• Nobody loses a loved one on Christmas this year.
• Wars can stop for at least Christmas, if not longer.
• All the people who have broken hearts this season will find new love.
• People who are struggling, whether emotionally, financially, or physically, find something that gives them hope for better days.
• All people will do at least one random act of kindness for someone else this Christmas season.
• Children will not be told that Santa does not exist so early in their childhood this year.
• Families can put aside their differences, especially political ones, at their gatherings this holiday season.
• Every person on Earth gets at least one present this year, no matter how small.
• Everyone can remember how it felt when they opened presents as a little kid, at least for a second.

I know that not all of these things may be possible, but it is important that you take them into consideration when on your rounds this year. Everyone deserves a little Christmas spirit, and after the crazy year we’ve all had, I think that this type of happiness and strength might be what heals us.

Christmas is about coming together and celebrating with family and friends. It’s about to be the end of the year, and after 2016, we need to have something to look back on be thankful for. We still have one month in 2016, there is still room for change. All we have to do is believe.

Believe in hope. Believe in you and the magic you bring to young hearts around the world. Believe in change. Believe in ourselves. Believe in strength and unity, instead of fear.

Even though those 10 things may not happen, please just help us believe.

Sincerely,

A Girl Who Believes