🎅Little children's wishes 🎄

Every year children get to write cards for Santa with their wishes and how sweet they have been all year. A child who is nine years old is usually then chosen to visit Santa, but that hasn't happened in 200 years. Children have lost hope that this story is true and almost no longer write cards. There are just a handful of children who still faithfully write cards every year, which is unfortunate.

Almost all the Christmas baubles had been hung up; there were also angels and lovebirds. A girl standing on the stairs put the gold star on the top of the Christmas tree. She was Hazel.

Hazel, a girl who turns nine on Christmas, her grandmother tells her, her sister and little brother the story every year. Grandmother says this story is true and she does believe it. 'I will write a card this year grandmother and I will ask Santa Claus to make you better again. I turn nine on Christmas, so then I can write a card, right?" said Hazel with twinkling eyes. Grandmother smiled and said, "That's very sweet my child, but I'm afraid my illness is incurable. Hazel's older sister, Nora, came and hung some garlands on the Christmas tree and said, 'Santa Claus doesn't exist, it's just an old folk tale, Hazel and you are eight years old. Children write cards every year hoping their wishes will be granted, but then their parents just buy the presents and put them under the Christmas tree. "That's not true!" said Hazel, with an angry look at her sister, "Santa does exist, you're just saying that because you're fourteen and can't write a card anymore. Think what you want, Hazel. When you grow up you will experience it for yourself.' Grandmother had picked up her knitting again and was knitting. Hazel was angry and had a strange feeling, what if it really is? What if Santa really doesn't exist? What if Nora is right? This is impossible! 

'Mom...' said Hazel, standing on the stool next to her mother, 'Can I write a card for Santa even though I'm eight. Because I'm going to be nine in a few days.' Her mother was sorting through some important papers and really couldn't use a distraction right now, but she said anyway, "Yes Hazel, you may. As long as you finish it by Tuesday. Hazel then asked, "And...may I come with you to drop off the card myself, please." Her mother sighed and said, "You can't, because I'm going straight to work after and you can't go with me there. Hazel was disappointed, but happy that she was allowed to write a card anyway. She ran to her room and opened her dresser. There were some toys in there, two pencils, crayons and glitter, but no paper. She looked around and saw her little brother coloring on the floor with crayons. 'Carter, did you take my paper?' The little four-year-old boy said, "Only the last leaf nothing more, but I had asked you before I took it." Hazel thought back and truly she had told him She thought, if only I knew it was the last one, but that doesn't matter. She went to Nora's room and then asked her in her sweetest little voice, "Nora, could I borrow some paper from you? Nora said, "What for then?" "To make a, a ... a drawing with Carter." Nora said, 'I don't think so, I just saw Carter drawing. Is it for Santa?' Hazel said, 'Okay, yes. I do believe he exists, please? Nora said, 'No, I can use the paper better to finish my schoolwork.' Hazel said, 'Please' 'No.' 'That's not sweet!" shouted Hazel, calling back to her room. She was angry and sat down on her bed. At one point she heard her parents yelling at each other. 'We don't have enough money to make ends meet, Charlie. We have to mortgage the house.' Hazel's father, Charlie, said, "Alice, give me a few more months then I'll get my paycheck. We have a good life and I don't want to give this up.' 'You say that like three months, Charlie. I still have bills to pay and the landlord wants to move into our house, let's just mortgage the house and when you have the money we will pay it off again.' Charlie sighed and said, 'two more weeks, Alice. Please.' Her mother also sighed and nodded from okay, two more weeks. Her parents would have to mortgage their house, did we run out of money? Hazel wondered horrified. 

Her parents were in money trouble because the boss wouldn't pay her father and her grandmother was getting sicker by the day. I must write to Santa as soon as possible thought Hazel, if anyone can solve these problems it's him. But Hazel had no paper to make a card. She looked glum and stared at the ceiling, after half an hour she heard her little brother digging in his dresser drawer. Then she had an idea! 'Could I use your drawing to make a card for Santa?" said Hazel, sitting down on the floor next to Carter with her hands to her jaw and her feet dangling in the air. Carter looked up for a moment and said, "Do you want to give my drawing to Santa?" "If I can, yes.' 'But, but ... I drew him with such a big belly, his hat isn't quite colored either, and the presents are colored out of line. I don't think Santa will like it.' Although the drawing was not perfect Hazel said, "Carter. That's not true, it's a very nice drawing. I think Santa will be very happy with it. 'Really!" asked Carter and he started jumping up and down. 'Can I use it then?' asked Hazel a little cautiously. 'Yes!" "My drawing goes to Santa, my drawing goes to Santa!' Carter danced around. Hazel was glad, now that she could make a card after all. Even though there was a drawing on the sheet, she would still write on the back with a feather and some ink. 

She worked all night on her texts and hardly slept that night. The next day she neatly transcribed the lyrics onto the card and sprinkled some glitter on it. She put the card in her dresser drawer and went to the front hall. As always, grandmother sat beside the Christmas tree knitting, but this time Carter sat on her lap. 'Hazel, is going to give my drawing to Santa, can you believe it?' Grandmother made her eyes big and said, "Is that true? Hazel joined Grandmother and said, 'Yes, I ran out of paper and Nora wouldn't lend me one.' 'That doesn't matter child. The fact that you have already written a card even though you are eight years old is already wonderful.' 'Can I write a card for Santa too when I'm nine?' Asked Carter very cheerfully. 'But of course,' said Grandmother.

After that day, Hazel checked every day to see if the card was still in her dresser drawer. It became Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Before Hazel went to school that Monday morning, she checked her dresser again; the card was still there. When she got home that afternoon she ran to her dresser and saw Nora at Carter's locker. She looked in her dresser and couldn't find her drawing anymore! She threw everything out, looked under her bed but still nothing. When she saw Nora standing there she angrily asked, "Did you hide my card? Nora laughed and said, "No, why would I do that?" "You didn't want me to write a card! and now you hid it so Mommy can't turn it in tomorrow! Nora walked away and said, "I didn't touch your card.' She went to look under the Christmas tree, in the kitchen cupboards, she asked her grandmother, Carter, her mother and father if they had taken it, but all said they hadn't seen it. Carter eventually helped look too, for he too was disappointed that his beautiful drawing had disappeared. Hazel still had a few hours before it was Tuesday and her mother would have to turn in the card. She searched all day, but had not found the ticket. It was a deep disappointment to her, but no one seemed to notice because everyone was busy with their own problems. Hazel cried softly in bed that night; all hope was lost. 

Two weeks passed and it was Christmas Day, Hazel's ninth birthday. All the houses in the neighborhood were decorated, with lights, baubles, Santa Claus dolls and the ground was covered with a thick blanket of snow. Hazel's house was also nicely decorated with birthday and Christmas garlands, and there were also a number of presents under the Christmas tree. Charlie handed everyone a box with their name on it. "And this one is for Carter.' Carter clapped his hands together and took the present in his hands and opened it right away. 'A new airplane, Yes! Thank you Santa!' All the presents had been distributed and everyone had received a package except Hazel. Hazel looked at her father and said, 'Where is my present Daddy? It's my birthday and Christmas, don't I get a present?' "But of course my child. He walked to the room and returned with a white envelope with a red-and-green stamp. Everyone was silent as Hazel opened her envelope. 

Dear Hazel,

You wrote a beautiful card for Santa, but you were still eight years old. And it was actually a drawing of Carter, on which you had written. Santa had to think very deeply about those things.

You unfortunately don't get to meet Santa, but we'd like you to stop by and pick up a bag of peppernuts and participate in some little activities, because you did your best.

We'll see you very soon.

Merry Christmas,

Minnesota's Santa Claus bill bundle committee

Hazel sighed and folded the paper in half and plopped down on the floor. There was silence for a moment, but then Alice interrupted the silence. 'Come now, Hazel. you've done your best. Go and put on your winter coat soon so we can go and pick up your present today.' Hazel walked very slowly to the room and put on her winter coat. I made such an effort and then it still didn't work out Hazel thought what a stupid story. In the front hall she heard her parents discussing taxes again and grandmother was coughing. If only she could help them. 

She sat in the back seat and looked out the window at all the decorated houses. Her mother tried to cheer her up a bit by saying they would buy a nice cake on the way back. When they arrived at the address an old gentleman answered the door. "Are we at the right address mom?' Her mother nodded. They got out and walked into the old building. A friendly woman welcomed them and took Hazel's hand over Alice's. 'We'll take her home after the activities at seven o'clock, ma'am. She is in good hands don't worry.' 'No, this was not agreed upon. We only came to pick up peppernuts. Mom, where are you going now.' Her mother smiled and left Hazel with the strange, though friendly women. 'So Hazel, are you ready?" "Ready for what?" asked Hazel cheekily. The woman smiled and escorted her to an elevator.

Hazel reluctantly stepped into the elevator. The woman pressed a button that said 'magic and stars'. That is strange thought Hazel, "Magic? does that even exist?" "If you believe, then yes," said a voice in her head. When the elevator had stopped the woman said, 'Here we are.' She elevator opened and a bright light shone in, blinding Hazel completely. 

She stepped off the elevator and heard all kinds of singing, she saw Santa's helpers dancing around, just like how Carter does. She stepped into a magical land and walked on a path with decorations of syrup waffles, sugar rods, sweet and sour lollipops. Some Santa's helpers made a bow to her, she walked all along the path, suddenly she heard someone say, "Ho-ho-ho-ho Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas to you! That was Santa Claus! Hazel's mouth fell open and then she looked up at the tall man Who stood before her with the long white beard and the big belly. Almost...just like how Carter had drawn him, but not as real. He had thin gold glasses on the end of his nose. He had on a red, white suit and Christmas shoes. Someone whispered something in his ear and he looked down. "Ho-ho-ho-ho, Hazel Green. Hazel almost stuttered and said, "Are...are you...Santa Claus. The real Santa, the one from the little story?' Santa laughed and said, "Ho-ho-ho-ho. Yes, I am Santa Claus. I received your card. You are the first girl chosen in over five hundred years.' Hazel couldn't believe it, Santa is real and she has been chosen! 'Your card was so sweet'

Dear Santa, 

my name is Hazel and I was born December eight, 2013. My grandmother is very sick and I heard from my older sister, Nora, that she only has a few months left with us. My parents are not getting enough money from their boss, so we are going to lose our house soon. I hear that you can make my wishes come true, can you please help my grandmother and parents. 

I have not been very kind at times through the year. I am also not yet nine years old. I hope you can please forgive me for that.

Ps: I ran out of paper, so I made this card on the drawing of my little brother, Carter. He is also very sweet and so is Nora, although she wouldn't lend me any paper.

LOVE,

Hazel

'You have been so honest about yourself, making everyone feel special in their own way and believing that Christmas is going to make everything right. Carter's drawing was also very beautiful. That's why you are being rewarded. I'm going to help you, Hazel. Hazel was super happy and thanked Santa. She had to promise him, though, that this experience and miracles that would happen would have to remain a secret. When she was back home at seven o'clock everyone sang for the birthday cake and Hazel was very happy, happier than ever.

The next day grandmother's health improved and father's boss paid him his wages, they could keep their house. How happy Hazel was. Christmas brought happiness she thought and walked down the sidewalk with a wide smile. 'Merry Christmas!!!, she just shouted out of nowhere after a while. 🎄

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