And the stockings were hung (for decorative purposes only)
This year, a Christmas tradition that could have ended long ago is finally coming to a close. … Santa won’t be filling my stocking.
It’s not because I deserve a lump of coal instead of good stuff, either. My mom and dad finally decided that, with their youngest child in her mid-20s, and their oldest a hair shy of 30, it’s time to stop staying up late and stuffing stockings for three grown women — especially since their daughters can stay up later than "Santa."
Saying good-bye to our family’s St. Nick was coming for a while. I think it was mom who finally brought it up while we were talking on the phone. "Santa might not come this year," she said.
It was fine with me, I told her. It was getting a little awkward, anyway, shouting, "Thank you Santa Claus!" Christmas mornings, after emptying stockings on the floor.
I told mom it’s a sign to stop setting out cookies for Santa when you can’t sit on the floor, shuffling through stocking stuffers, for long before a spider vein starts throbbing.
Even though he’s not coming this year, I already told Mom I still want my typical Santa gifts, the classic stocking stuffers: some favorite lotions, lipstick, maybe a book or costume jewelry … whatever Santa might have given me, had he been around.
And the person who actually bought the gifts can take credit this year.
The greatest gift is a home for the holidays
Knowing I had a secure home and loving family was the best present I always counted on at Christmas and throughout the year.
Unfortunately, many children don’t know that gift because they are waiting to be adopted.
Many times, these are children old enough to understand that they’re missing out on a real family. They are also old enough to know time is running out for their chance to be adopted.
Statistically, people usually apply to adopt perfect Caucasian infants, but most children waiting to be adopted have had troubles, are a racial minority and are older than age 6.
Adoption issues will be addressed on the national level when CBS airs "A Home for the Holidays," at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20. This presents inspirational stories about adoption to raise awareness, and it includes stories from famous people involved in adoptions.
Most people know the Luverne story of the Rev. Bart Fletcher and his wife Claudia’s mission to adopt children in need. They’ve taken in nine children and encourage others to do the same thing.
Claudia is currently helping to find a home for Johnathn, an 11-year-old in Sioux Falls, who needs to be placed nearby because of some treatment needs.
He is described as having "a great sense of humor. He loves animals and would especially like to live on a farm or with a family who has pets. … Because Johnathn has felt rejected by past caregivers, it’s important that adoptive parents commit to him and be willing to hang in there."
Claudia points out that adoption is a larger social issue, not just a family matter: Children who leave foster care at age 18 without being adopted are likely to become homeless, in prison, victims or perpetrators of abuse and/or chemically dependent.
Claudia can be reached at 283-9693 to talk about Johnathn or a general interest in adoption.