North Pole Delivery

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A letter to Santa, from a diabetes dad.

By Tom Karlya

Dear Santa,

It’s been a long time since I climbed upon your knee and asked for a Johnny Lightning car set. That was the last time I saw you. I’m sorry that it’s been a while since I’ve spoken to you or written. I’m 49 now and I really have not stopped believing in you, but it gets harder as I grow older. And believe me when I tell you that you would not want me to sit upon your knee these days. I seem to have moved away from our yearly chats. I just have been living the wonder through the eyes of my own children, I guess. I thought that would be enough. It sure kept me pretty busy and stopped me from writing my own letters. Perhaps not seeing you as regularly as I used to makes me a little hesitant to believe that you can do anything and everything at Christmas time anymore, as I believed as a child.

You always found ways to give the gifts that no one else knew how to give. You always found a way to get into our home, even without a fireplace (I still haven’t been able to figure that out). You always knew what was in my heart and encouraged me to “comeback next year.”

I got a little busy and I stopped coming. I admit that it was my fault. Again, it is the “getting older” thing. But the magic is still seen through children.

I still get a thrill when I see you at the end of the Thanksgiving Day Parade, welcoming the holiday season. I know you’re thinking of me when you wave to everyone, just like you told me. You had a way of knowing how to do that. I still like seeing your appearance every year in the animated special, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. Even though it seems that I have been on the outside, I have tried to be in touch. This year, I hope you have the time for me like it used to be. I’ll even make it my very last wish, if that will help.

I debated with myself for some time on writing this letter. I believe in science. I believe in research. This is not something one usually brings to you, I’m sure. But I need your help. I’m tired of watching so many people I love battle diabetes. Do you think somewhere in that big ‘ol bag of treasures of yours that you might just have a cure? So many kids have had diabetes since they were youngsters - about the same age that makes it okay to climb up on your knee. They’re too young to have diabetes. So many are looking for an answer, I just thought perhaps you might have something that you can pick up behind the eastern star as you travel around on Christmas night.

You’re bigger than life, Santa. So many have tried and still the answer has eluded them. I know what you’re thinking and yes, I have prayed, too. Perhaps, just perhaps, with all of the prayers and all of the magic that you bring on one Christmas night, may perhaps open a lock - the lock that has kept a cure for diabetes hidden away. I admit it: I’ll benefit. But it really isn’t for me - I swear I’ll give the gift away immediately, starting with one very special little girl. But she’s not so little anymore, Santa, and very soon she too will be too old to climb upon your knee.

I’m a Diabetes Dad.

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Disclaimer
dLife's Daily Living columnists are not all medical experts, but everyday people living with diabetes and sharing their personal experiences. While their method of diabetes management may work for them, everyone is different. Please consult with your diabetes care team to find out what will work best for you.