vAfter Peter was adopted by a wealthy family, he got almost everything a child could dream of. Even so, he barely spent any time with his adoptive father, John. After reading the boy’s Christmas letter, the man was faced with a harsh reality
After losing his biological parents when he was 3, Peter stayed in foster care for two years. Before he turned 5, he met his adoptive parents, a sweet woman named Esther and a tall, strong man named John.
The couple welcomed the boy into their home, which was unlike anything he had ever seen. “This is even bigger than the White House!” the boy exclaimed.
Image for illustrative purposes. | Photo: Getty Images
Image for illustrative purposes. | Photo: Getty Images
Esther laughed and gave him a tour. During the following year, Peter developed a close bond with his adoptive mother, who taught him to bake and helped him with his homework.
John always seemed to be busy. He was either away on a business trip or engrossed in his home office. Esther did her best to keep Peter occupied and happy, but she knew that the boy might perceive her interests as “feminine.”
“Mom, how do car engines work?” Peter asked once.
She pointed to one of John’s classic cars, which had part of the engine sticking out of the hood. “I don’t know, son. Your dad’s the one who knows about that,” Esther replied.
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When the boy tried to ask John how his car worked, his father chased him away.
“I’m in a meeting, Peter. Go to your mom,” the man replied as he handed Peter some money.
At first, the boy accepted the fact that his dad was always busy. Besides, he could buy the latest toys and games.
Sometimes his school friends would start to feel jealous, but Peter didn’t brag. In fact, he would share his toys with them. Little did his friends know that he was becoming increasingly jealous of them. One friend, Kevin, would tell stories about spending time with his father.
Image for illustrative purposes. | Photo: Getty Images
Image for illustrative purposes. | Photo: Getty Images
“Last weekend we went fishing and my dad caught a spotted bass!” the boy explained.
Despite having many great things going for him, Peter silently envied his friends’ close relationships with their parents. Whenever he tried to talk to his dad about doing more activities together, the man shut down.
“I’m sorry, buddy. I need to focus on work. Money doesn’t grow on trees, you know,” John told him.
As the Christmas holidays approached, Peter’s friends boasted about their Christmas plans and traditions, but John hadn’t planned anything for them. The boy became frustrated and decided to write a letter to Santa.
Esther found Peter’s letter and wondered what he had asked for. He already had all the newest toys. When she read it, her heart broke. She went to John’s office in the house to show him what the boy had written.
“I think it’s time you sorted out your priorities, John. Our son is desperate to spend time with you. Here’s his letter to Santa. Go on, read it. Maybe it will change something about you,” she said as she handed the letter to her husband.
Image for illustrative purposes. | Photo: Getty Images
Image for illustrative purposes. | Photo: Getty Images
At first, John was still distracted by work and didn’t read the letter right away. Once his meetings for the day were over, he finally read it.
“Dear Santa, I don’t know if you remember me. Over a year ago I wrote to you and told you that I really wanted a father because I was alone in the foster home. I am so grateful that you gave me a new mom and dad. At first, I loved him very much, but I don’t think he loves me.”
“Every time I try to spend time with him, he’s busy with something. All my friends do cool things with their dads, but I get toys and games. I don’t want money, I want to do things with him. I don’t think he really wants me to be his son. I know I’m asking for a lot. But for my Christmas present, I want a different dad,” the letter read.
John burst into tears at his desk when he finished reading Peter’s wish. He realized he’d spent so much time working to give him a better life that he wasn’t even making time to connect with him in any way. The man knew he had to change for the better.
He called his business partner and told him he was taking a month off work for personal reasons. Then he booked three plane tickets to New York.
Image for illustrative purposes. | Photo: Getty Images
Image for illustrative purposes. | Photo: Getty Images
That evening, after dinner, John took Esther aside to talk to her. “I’m going to make sure Peter stays in the living room to watch TV for a while. Go and pack his bags. I’ve booked three tickets to New York,” he whispered.
“Oh my God! When are we leaving?” she asked. “First thing in the morning!” he replied.
When Peter went to bed that night, he knew nothing. The next morning, the boy was woken up by his father.
“Are you ready to go, buddy?” John asked him.
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The little boy was visibly confused when he saw his mother standing in the doorway with suitcases. “Where are we going?” Peter asked. “We’re spending Christmas in the Big Apple, son,” the man replied.
Peter jumped out of bed and got ready in record time. He was very excited. It was his first time flying.
When the three of them arrived in New York, they visited several attractions. Peter was particularly excited about the Rockefeller Christmas tree and the ice rink.
After enjoying a few days in the city, Peter, Esther and John shared a hearty Christmas dinner together.
Image for illustrative purposes. | Photo: Getty Images
Image for illustrative purposes. | Photo: Getty Images
“Listen, son. I know I’ve been very busy lately, but I’m going to stop working so many hours. You and I are going to spend a lot more time together. That’s a promise,” John told Peter.
At the end of their trip to New York, Esther spoke with John while they were packing their suitcases.
“This morning, Peter came up to me and asked if it was too late to write to Santa again. I told him he could always write to Santa. Then he handed me another letter,” the mother said as she handed an envelope to her husband.
John read the letter and a big smile spread across his face.
“Dear Santa, I don’t want another dad anymore. Please forgive me for bothering you! I love my dad! I bet you didn’t give me a new one because you knew how good this one was. Thank you for the best Christmas ever!” the letter read.
From then on, John always made an effort to spend more time with Peter and Esther.
Image for illustrative purposes. | Photo: Getty Images
Image for illustrative purposes. | Photo: Getty Images
What can we learn from this story?
Money can’t buy happiness: Despite having all the toys and games a child could want, what Peter really needed was a father figure in his life.
Family always comes first: Although John provided everything his family needed financially, he neglected quality time.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.
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This story is inspired by the everyday lives of our readers and was written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to real names or locations is purely coincidental. All images shown are for illustrative purposes only.
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