Peter’s Christmas Wish
Peter was a lucky boy in many ways. After losing his birth parents at just three years old, he spent two lonely years in a foster home. Then, as his fifth birthday approached, his life changed forever.
He was adopted by a kind and wealthy couple—Heather, a warm and nurturing woman, and James, a tall, stocky man with a booming voice and a busy schedule.
Heather and James brought Peter to their grand home—a mansion so vast it left the boy wide-eyed. “This is even bigger than the White House!” Peter exclaimed as he walked through the towering halls and spacious rooms.
Heather laughed and ruffled his hair. “Come on, let me show you around,” she said, taking him on a tour of what would now be his home.
Over the next year, Peter grew very close to Heather. She taught him how to bake cookies, helped him with his homework, and even read him bedtime stories every night. But James was a different story.
He was always busy, either tucked away in his home office or traveling for work. Heather did her best to fill the void, but Peter noticed the difference.
One day, Peter pointed to one of James’s shiny muscle cars in the driveway. “Mom, how do car engines work?” he asked, his little eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Heather smiled but shook her head. “I’m not sure, Peter. That’s something your dad knows all about. He loves cars,” she said. Encouraged, Peter ran to James’s office to ask him.
But James barely looked up from his desk. “I’m in a meeting, Peter,” he said, waving him away. “Go ask your mom or watch some TV.”
At first, Peter didn’t mind. After all, James provided him with everything a boy could want—new toys, video games, and even a trampoline in the backyard. Peter felt lucky, but something was missing.
When Peter heard his friends at school talk about their dads, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy. “Last weekend, my dad took me fishing,” said Kieran, one of his classmates. “We caught a huge spotted bass!”
Peter listened quietly, his mind wandering. He wished he could say the same about his dad. “What’s wrong with me?” he wondered. “Why doesn’t my dad spend time with me?”
One day, Peter decided to write a letter to Santa Claus. Heather found the letter sitting on the kitchen table and was curious. “What could he possibly want? He already has so much,” she thought. As she read the letter, her heart sank.
The letter said:
“Dear Santa,
I don’t know if you remember me. Last year, I asked for a dad because I was lonely in the foster home. You gave me a dad, and I’m thankful, but I don’t think he loves me. He’s always too busy for me.
All my friends do fun things with their dads, but I just get toys. For Christmas, I want a new dad—one who will spend time with me.”
Heather’s hands trembled as she finished the letter. She walked straight to James’s office and placed the letter on his desk. “You need to read this,” she said firmly.
James was in the middle of another meeting and waved her off. “Later, Heather,” he said.
“No, James,” she said, her voice shaking. “Read it now.”
When James finally read the letter that night, it was like a punch to the gut. He hadn’t realized how deeply his absence was affecting Peter. Tears welled up in his eyes. “What have I done?” he whispered.
The next morning, James made a decision. He canceled all his meetings for the next month and booked a family trip to New York City. At dinner, he leaned over to Heather and whispered, “Pack Peter’s bags tonight. We leave first thing in the morning.”
Peter was confused when his parents woke him early the next day. “Where are we going?” he asked groggily.
“To New York, buddy!” James said with a grin. “We’re going to have the best Christmas ever.”
Peter’s eyes lit up, and he jumped out of bed. “Really? Just us?”
“Just us,” James replied, ruffling Peter’s hair.
The trip was magical. They visited the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, went ice skating, and even took a carriage ride through Central Park. Peter couldn’t stop smiling. “This is the best Christmas ever!” he exclaimed.
On Christmas Eve, as they sat around the dinner table at their hotel, James turned to Peter. “Listen, buddy,” he said, his voice soft but firm. “I know I’ve been busy, but I promise to spend more time with you from now on. You’re my son, and I love you.”
Peter’s eyes filled with tears, and he threw his arms around James. “I love you too, Dad,” he said.
When they returned home, Heather handed James another letter from Peter. It read:
“Dear Santa,
I don’t want a new dad anymore. My dad is the best! Thank you for giving me the best Christmas ever!”
From that day on, James made good on his promise. He spent more time with Peter, teaching him about cars, playing catch in the yard, and even helping him with his school projects.
Lessons from the story:
- Money can’t replace love. Peter had all the material things he could want, but what he truly needed was his father’s attention.
- Family comes first. James learned that providing for his family financially wasn’t enough—he needed to be present in their lives.
This heartwarming story reminds us to cherish our loved ones and make time for them, no matter how busy life gets.
