More peace, less grief. Three Kentucky seniors ask Santa for things money can’t buy. | Opinion

Editor’s note: A few weeks ago, Beth Pugh, a teacher contacted the Herald-Leader about a project in her English class at Betsy Layne High School in Floyd County (enrollment: 407). The essays were then turned over to the school administration for judging. She asked them to write letters to Santa for things money can’t buy, and the three winners understood the assignment. They ask for more time with passed loved ones, more peace in their lives, and more kindness — the kinds of things we all hope for, especially at this time of year. The three winning essays are published below.

When the first day of December rolls around, you can feel Christmas in the air. This is especially true in high school. Students are old enough to be driving, working part-time jobs, and deciding on colleges, but Christmas turns them each and every one back into children. The magic of the season touches them, even the seniors. Leaning into the magic, I asked my students to write a letter to Santa, but with a twist. Their requests had to be something money could not buy. The following letters showcase what matters most to these students and I could not be prouder of their work—and their hearts.

-Beth Pugh, English teacher, Betsy Layne High School

Letter # 1

Dear Santa,

My name is Kate Moon. I live in Prestonsburg, Ky. and this year I am a senior in high school. My year has been full of new and exciting changes. I was baptized, I’ve made new friends, and we even tried a new sport together. I finally committed to college for next fall (Go Colonels!), and I’m so looking forward to graduation. All kinds of good filled my year, but still there were troubles. Those troubles bring me to my list of wishes for this Christmas. Usually, I would ask you for materialistic things like maybe a new sweater or perfume, but this year feels different. This year I would like to ask you for some things I know money can’t buy.

I lost my grandmother, whom we lovingly refer to as “Ping,” in May. This loss hit the family pretty hard as we were not expecting to lose her so soon. More than anyone, though, it hit my papaw. Watching the man who, for my whole life, has been the epitome of unwavering and unbreakable strength grieve in a way only a companion can has been heartbreaking. That is why this year I would like to ask for my Ping back. If only for the remainder of the holiday season – and if only for papaw – I would very much like to have her back.

Remember how I mentioned all the exciting changes this year has brought? Well, though I am looking forward to moving away and starting college, I am also terrified. I know my parents don’t have forever and my little sisters are growing up a little more each day. The fact is my time with them will be cut drastically starting next fall. In fact, I read somewhere that by the time I graduate my daily time with my parents will be cut in half. Think about that. Cut in half! And what about my little sisters? What if my littlest sister doesn’t remember me in the same way as my others do? Santa, I want more time. Everything seems to be moving so fast. The holidays, school, senior activities… they’re all flying by. I want to be able to savor these moments, so if you could sprinkle a little more time my way it would be greatly appreciated.

All of this change clutters my mind so much. I can barely focus on completing one thing before I’m off thinking about something totally different. I feel like there’s so many things I could have or should have done differently, loose ends I haven’t yet tied up, and in the midst of all of that I feel as though I’m wasting what time I do have left. This is why my third and final ask of you this year is for peace of mind. To just be able to live in the moment without any worries holding me back. I want to go into this new season of my life completely set free of the tribulations that have plagued me this year.

I can’t thank you enough for reading my letter, Santa. I know you will make this Christmas magical and the New Year phenomenal.

Sincerely,

Kate

Katelyn Moon is a senior at Betsy Layne High School. She is a member of her school’s NHS and Beta club, runs track & field and cross-country, and is a member of the Science Olympiad team. She plans on continuing her studies next fall at EKU.

Letter # 2

Hey Santa,

I won’t ask for anything expensive this year like I do every year. This time, I am asking for something that money can’t buy. I have been thinking about a few special things this Christmas, and I’m writing to ask for three big wishes from you.

To start, I would love to have more time with my family before I leave for college. I know that life gets busy with work and other important things but life seems to move so quickly, and sometimes it feels like we don’t have enough moments to cherish one another. I really do love the moments we share together, every little bit of it. Like when we all gather around the Christmas tree and say what we are thankful for. I remember my mom standing around the tree one year telling how thankful she was for living everyday at fullness. She had been going through a hard season, but her gratitude and positivity taught me how to let go of the bad things and live for the light in my life. If there is any way possible you could bring more of those little moments that mean the most to me this holiday season, it would mean the world to me.

Santa, my next wish truly comes from the heart and may be hard to make come true. I would like to relieve a special moment I shared with my papaw before he passed away. Reliving this day with him would bring me so much joy and make me feel like a little girl again, like how he made me feel before he passed. As long as I can remember, my papaw was always a hard-working man who made sure no one in his family went without. On this special day that I would like to relive, he taught me how to bail hay on a tractor. That day felt like an ever-lasting moment that kept on going because it was a very long process that you had to follow. All I wanted to do was play outside, so I was not really worried about helping him. Now, as I look back, I keep thinking what I would give to have that day with him back again. To relive that day and that moment would be a miracle I would cherish forever. It would mean so much to me, Santa, if you could make my wish come true.

Lastly, I wish there was more kindness in the world, especially during the holiday season, and more giving back to others. It seems that sometimes we forget how a small act of kindness can go a long way and really brighten someone’s day. Kindness has the potential to leave an impact on them forever. You know, Santa, if people would share more kindness with each other the world would be a happier place. I hope you can find it in your heart to sprinkle a little extra kindness into your magic this year. You can remind everyone that kindness is the gift we all truly need while helping us understand the true meaning of Christmas.

Thank you for taking your time, Santa, and reading my letter. I know you’re very busy with all the holiday chaos up at the North Pole, but your generosity and support makes all the difference for me and other teenagers just like me. I truly hope my wishes can come true and that you can help spread more joy and kindness in the world. I am going to end this letter by saying thank you for everything you do for the world and wishing you a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Love,

Chesey Tackett

Chesey Tackett, (no relation to Brooklyn) a senior at Betsy Layne High School, is involved with track and field as well as a member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club. After high school, she plans to attend Eastern Kentucky University to earn her elementary education degree.

Letter # 3

Dear Santa,

As I’m writing this letter, I’m hoping I’m on the nice list! I’m pretty positive I’ve been very nice this year. I’ve made my Christmas wish list, and checked it twice! My teacher asked me to write this letter to you about three things I would like for Christmas that money can’t buy. After much thought, the three things I’d ask for is for you to help my mom continue to stay clean and sober, to be able to spend five more minutes with my Papaw Otis in heaven, and for all my grandparents to live forever.

I’m asking for your help to keep my mom clean and sober because my whole life my mother has fought with addiction. I’ve seen her at her best and her worst. My mom is my best friend now, but that wasn’t always the case. For almost 11 years I barely spoke to her. The only time we would really talk is when she’d call me from jail or text me on my birthday. She missed a lot of things she won’t ever be able to have again, and I missed out on a lot by not having a mother figure in my life. One of my favorite memories with my mom is one that involves Christmas. When I was around five or six years old, all I wanted for Christmas was a Barbie Dreamhouse. My mom and dad kept telling me I wasn’t gonna get one, reassuring me that the big box under the tree was a “TV” for Dad. I ripped a little piece of the wrapping paper off the corner and saw it was the doll house! I was so happy. The next morning I was the first one awake and immediately went and woke my mom up. She was dead set on telling me that I wasn’t getting the doll house and kept denying it until it came time to open the present in question. I don’t know who smiled harder as I ripped away the wrapping paper, me or my mom. That memory is why I want my mom to stay clean and sober. I don’t want to experience another Christmas without her.

My second wish would be to be able to spend just five more minutes with my Papaw Otis. He was one of the greatest men I have ever had the privilege of knowing, but, above all, he was especially loving. My Poppy is his son. My Poppy is my “step” grandpa, but neither he nor Papaw Otis ever made me feel any less than biological and their own. The first time I ever went fishing was at papaw Otis’s house. I had my pink barbie pole–can you tell I like Barbie, Santa?– and my papaw. I was the happiest girl in the world. Long story short, I ended up catching a snapping turtle! My little girl self became so scared I dropped my whole pole and everything. My Papaw Otis was the one to comfort me and retrieve my pole. My papaw Otis why I will forever say love is stronger than DNA.

My third wish is that all my grandparents would be able to live forever. My grandparents are the reason why I’m the person I am today. I like to think I’m headstrong like my Mamaw Violet, hardworking like my Papaw Wayne, quirky like my Poppy, caring like my Papaw Tom, and loving like my Granny Bridgette. Each and every one of them have helped me in more ways than they’ll ever know. To say I have the BEST support system is an understatement. I know that whenever I have a problem with anything I can’t count on them. They’re the first ones I call for help when I need it because of all they’ve done for me. My whole childhood consists of memories with them, and I’m forever proud to be their granddaughter.

Santa, thank you for listening to my wishes. I hope you have the best Christmas ever! I’ll make sure to leave some milk and cookies out for you on the 24th! See you soon!

Sincerely,

Brooklynn Tackett

Brooklynn Tackett is a senior at Betsy Layne High School. After high school Brooklynn plans on attending UPike to pursue a BSN degree.

This story was originally published December 18, 2024 at 10:09 AM.