An early letter to Santa

Dear Papa Noel,

Of all the years that I've deserved a lump of coal, this year is decidedly NOT one of them.  I know, it's been a trying year for the world -- conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Philippines, China, Iran, Honduras, etc.; financial collapse pretty much everywhere except, apparently, within the coffers of Goldman Sachs; debates on health care that are enough to make us all sick; and even a bad PR week for Tiger Woods, for goodness sake -- but if I might, I'd like to ask for two gifts that would add a lot to my personal world this coming year.

The first is a universal mother-to-be wish:  I want my baby to be born healthy, strong, and with the capacity to become beautiful inside and out.  (Because, who are we kidding, most babies are born looking like wizened old men and take a few weeks or even months to approach some semblance of cuteness.)  I want to be able to savor the look on Armando's face when he holds her for the first time.  If I am too drugged up to really appreciate the moment, please make the drugs the non-nauseating kind, if it's not too much trouble.  Nausea already overstayed its welcome during the first trimester.

The second wish is for my Aunt Suey and her "baby," Toby.

Allow me to explain, in case the elves haven't kept you up-to-date.  After nearly a decade in remission, Suey's cancer decided to pay her another visit.  She's been fighting like a Samurai, but lately the fluid build-up in her abdomen has caused her an amount of pain and discomfort that, let's be honest, is really pushing the definition of unfairness and cruelty.  In true Suey fashion, however, she is taking this with equal parts courage and humor.  Since I look pregnant, she told me the other day over the phone, then we decided to go ahead and name the baby.  His name is Toby.

Suey will undergo surgery this afternoon to have a stent placed inside her liver's portal vein, which should hopefully ease the build-up of fluid and therefore stop Toby's growth.

Santa, please make Toby's birthday today and find him another home.

Thank you, Santa.

Love,
me