Dear Santa,

I KNOW YOU ARE READING THIS SO DO NOT THROW THIS AWAY!!!!!!!

I know it has been a couple of years since we last saw each other, or even talked to each other. I know we kind of had a falling out after that one not so silent night, but I am willing to put our past behind us and start anew. I have a reason for writing to you because I think we need all of the powers of the holiday season to work together and bring peace on earth. As you probably know, we are in a tough time right now. 2016 has not been nice to anyone and I think that was our fault. It is difficult to try an put a little bit of a broken world together again, but again, that is why I am writing to you. I have two wishes on my Christmas list this year that I hope you can make come true.

My first wish is that everyone can find happiness somewhere. I know that one is asking a lot, but everyone deserves to be happy and I know you have that kind of magic in you. I ask for this wish because recently I finished up this creative paying it forward thing I started at the beginning of the year. Giving those surprises and seeing everyone's face light up was unimaginable. It is a difficult time at the moment for many because it is finals and they are stressed out. My heart becomes full because momentarily, I brought joy to their busy and hectic lives. Everyone deserves to have that look because we need more joy in the world more than ever.

Having said that, my second wish is for peace. Peace not just for Americans, but for all humans all around the world. There has been so much bloodshed going on and it just makes me wonder how we got to this point. On December 25, 1914, there was a "Christmas Truce," a timeless story about two enemy side coming together and uniting momentarily as brothers. In the heat of the Great War, Allied soldiers and the Central Powers soldiers ceased fire and met up in the middle of "No Man's Land." They sang, played football, (soccer to us) and acted like brothers to one another, which showed that no matter what side you are on, we are still humans and we need to be there for one another. Even after the momentary truce, the soldiers went back to fighting each other.

I know these wishes are a long shot, but I cannot do this alone. It is difficult to make the world a little better. I can pray for peace and do a lot of other things that would most likely be against my religion, but I feel like you can help. Reach out to the younger kids. Teach them about peace now while they are young and when they grow up, they can join the voyage for world peace.

I forgive you.

Danny Peters