Grown Up Christmas List

As crazy as the past year has been in my life, it all seems to gain a small measure of peace when I hear this song. The best version in my opinion is sung by Natalie Cole, but that may simply be because I truly love jazz. Her words also articulate much of what is in my heart. It may sound sappy and full of hopes and dreams, but this is what I want for the next year. Santa can't bring it down the chimney for me, but I hope that somewhere in this crazy world this wish list is coming true.

"Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies
Well, I'm all grown-up now
Can you still help somehow?
I'm not a child, but my heart still can dream
So here's my lifelong wish
My grown-up Christmas list
Not for myself, but for a world in need

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
Every man would have a friend
That right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth?
Maybe only in that blind belief can we ever find the truth

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal our hearts
Every man would have a friend
That right would always win
And love would never end

This is my grown-up Christmas list
This is my only lifelong wish
This is my grown-up Christmas list"

It is my prayer on this blessed night that everyone finds a measure of peace in their hearts and the chance to rejoice with those that they love.

And because the depth of my words never seems to match that of Dickens, I shall have to borrow some of his. God bless us, everyone!