This Is What I Want For Christmas

Every year, advertisers bombard us with ads for things they think we should want. How about a fancy new car? Maybe a big diamond? 

When my daughter asked me this year what she could get me for Christmas, I told her 'nothing.' There is nothing I need or want. I have all I need. In fact, I am trying to get rid of things. She told me she would like a slow cooker or a set of good knives. So I ordered those things, one each for her December birthday and for Christmas> These things aren't exciting or glamorous, but they are things she needs and wants. So I believe each of these kitchen items is, in fact, 'the perfect gift.'

I have everything I want and everything I need. So here is my new, grown up Christmas wish list. 

l want people who are sick with horrible illnesses to be cured. 

I want children with no families to be adopted. 

I want people to never have to worry about food and shelter and heat. 

I want people in nursing homes to feel wanted and loved. 

I want an end to war and to discrimination and to murder. I want people to live in peace. Sadly, the world remains at war, in Ukraine, in Gaza, and most probably, in Venezuela..

I want people to wake up and realize that planet Earth is our only home, and we need to start taking care of it. 

I want an end to child abuse, to domestic violence, to animal abuse and to elder abuse. 

I want the homeless to have a safe place to live. 

I want all the homeless and unwanted animals to become part of families that will cherish, love and care for them.

 I want a government that actually works for the benefit of the people it is supposed to serve, rather than serving billionaires. 

I want a return to civility and concern for others regardless of their race, ethnicity or religion. 

I want people to care.

This, friends, is my grown-up Christmas wish.