title: Dear Santa
author: Manning, Lissette E.
description: 'Tis the season to be merry . . .
   Johanna Rivera isn't that fond of the holidays. She does everything possible to spend them on her own, enjoying the fact that she'll have no one to answer to but herself. In her mind, the less time she spends with her family, the better off she'll be. With Christmas just around the corner, she's not looking forward to mingling with the family. Most especially, her mom. Deep inside, she knows she shouldn't treat her mom the way she does, but she can't help herself. The two of them clash at every turn, intent on winning the battle of wills that exists between them. Her world is soon turned upside-down when unexpected news arrives on her doorstep. Things in her life have been spiraling out of control, and she's not sure as to how to fix what's wrong. Never-the-less, she'll grapple with the changes coming her way. Deep inside, she's hoping for the best. Intent on making the holidays something worthwhile, she hopes its one her mother will remember fondly. It's the least she can do to make her feel better during the time they have left together. Determined to find meaning in the life she's led, Johanna puts her trust and faith in the one thing she used to believe in-her beloved Santa. It'll allow her to immerse herself in the spirit of the season. Recalling the letters she's written to Santa ever since she was a child, letters that to this day she continues writing, she comes to the realization that her life is not what she's made of it. She'll need to find it within herself to forgive the past if she's to succeed in setting all wrongs to right. Only then, can she get past the obstacles that keep coming her way.