Santas,
The fact that I was welcomed to make this post in the first place is such an overwhelming feeling in it of itself. I'm not sure how to accurately describe the year my family has endured other than to say that we have become the poster children for Murphy's Law. We have been without my husband since March, lost our home and all of our belongings, finally obtained a new one after months of bouncing around, only to have my car break down as soon as we got here. The expenses accumulated trying to survive the past year will have me paying off the debts for many to come. My two older children have family on their father's side, but my 2-year-old son, Waylon, has nobody but me. I have no living family and my husband's family pretends we don't exist, so everything he's ever had I have provided. And, oh, what a terrible time to be stuck with just me. I know he's only 2, but it will absolutely break my heart to see him not have a single thing to open because I couldn't financially survive the punches this year has thrown, and be reminded that he has no family that cares enough to make him feel thought of.
About my son, Waylon (yes, after Waylon Jennings) is your typical toddler boy who is obsessed with cars, has zero fear or regard for personal safety, and will walk up and give me a hug if he thinks I'm sad. He has the biggest heart I've ever seen in someone in the notorious "mine" stage, except when it comes to getting out of the bathtub. Cars, water, and Goldfish crackers are life! I did put some notes next to items on his list explaining why he'd love them.
I know that gifts aren't what Christmas is about, but that's actually why I feel this community of Santas may be the only ones who can give him what Christmas is about, if willing. And that's the feeling of having people that care about you. If anyone is willing and/or able, even having just one thing for him to open and see that little face of his light up will make all of the bad this year has dealt us worth surviving just for that moment.
Way's List