By Gwen Rockwood, newspaper columnist and mama of 3
Dear Santa,
I’m nearly exhausted this time of year so I can only imagine how worn out you must be as you gear up for your magical trip around the world. Even with help from all those elves, you must feel a lot of pressure this time of year. I, too, have felt a little frazzled by the frantic pace of festivities this month. I bet we could both use a “long winter’s nap” right about now.
But I’m not complaining, Santa. I love this time of year. It’s just that December brings such a long list of other duties – decorating, shopping, wrapping, cooking, baking, cleaning, traveling, party-going, and card-sending. A mama can get overwhelmed before you can even finish your “fa la la la la.”
As I write these words, I’m in the bedroom hiding from the kids. I knew I didn’t stand a chance of getting this letter finished if I didn’t sneak away for a little while. The mere sight of me makes the kids hungry for a grilled cheese sandwich or thirsty for hot chocolate. Then they need me to change the batteries in a toy or help them find the TV remote that got lost between the sofa cushions – again.
With all the Christmas chaos, something has to give. In our house this week, that something is the laundry. I’m sitting here behind a snow bank of unfolded clothes and towels I’ve piled on the bed. 
The kids will never think of looking for me here. They’ve learned that if they get close to a pile of laundry, they’ll likely get forced into folding and putting it away.
As for gift requests, I really don’t have many. If you happen to have a robot who folds and puts away laundry, that would come in very handy around here. But other than that, I’ve already been blessed, Santa. I’ve got the things that matter most – faith, family, good health and good friends. All I need now is to slow down and enjoy those gifts, to savor the good times while they’re good.
So bring me an imperfect Christmas, Santa. Not the kind pictured in idyllic Norman Rockwell paintings. Not the kind Martha Stewart whips together so effortlessly on television. Not the kind we mommies think we can pull off if we just rush around and work hard enough.
Just bring the kind of Christmas that has fun surprises for the kids and laughter for the grown-ups. Bring us time to spend together, Santa, along with the good sense to know how blessed we are to have that time.
Yours truly,
The mama hiding out behind the laundry pile
Gwen Rockwood is a mom to three great kids, wife to one cool guy, a newspaper columnist and co-owner of nwaMotherlode.com. You can read more of Gwen’s work by clicking here to visit The Rockwood Files.
