Writing: In order to not go stark raving mad......

I write this open letter to all utility providers, mortgage holders, landlords, and bill collectors:

Dear All,

I speak for thousands upon thousands in this letter. As you are very well aware of, this is the month of December. The month of cold weather (higher electric and gas bills), getting together with family (higher phone bills and gasoline bills) and gift-giving (larger credit card bills).

We know that we have entered into a contract with you to pay you monthly for the service you provide for us day in and day out, i.e. the roof over our heads, the car we drive, the heat we use to warm our homes, the phone service to contact others and the dish or cable tv we use to unwind after a long day.

Unfortunately, many companies don't raise their employee's (your consumers) hourly wage to match this month's expenses. Some give bonuses, other companies do not. Or some companies, like mine, only give bonuses to their full-time employees, of which I am not. And some families, such as our's make it through an ordinary month by the skin of our teeth so saving year-long, a bit of money each month towards our "holiday budget" is a bit of a lofty goal. Therefore December is a trying month for us and many others. One in which we are strapped, stressed and scared. Not to mention worried, fretful and depressed.

Yes, we are late in our payment to you and yes, we are sorry. Although we are grateful for your continued service to us, we couldn't bare to show up to Christmas empty-handed. Because, you see, the very reason we aren't homeless right now is because of family. Family that has buoyed us through the tough times and rejoiced with us during our joyful celebrations. They may say, "No, no you musn't feel you need to give me a present." But how can we not? And those of us with young children, it is too much to even contemplate having an empty Christmas. Many of us aren't big spenders, our children receive moderately priced gifts (nothing of $30 a piece) like many others. But still it's enough to take a bare bones budget and break it's brittle construction.

Please accept our sincere apologies, dear collector, we know your job must suck. The bills will get paid in due time....errr...overdue time, but paid all the same. If you feel the need to revoke whatever service you provide us, we recognize that, that is your option. If such takes place, we'll cope with it and we'll deal with it. Lord, but we have been through worse before.

After all, our true treasures in life: each other, our children, laughter, smiles, hugs and kisses, and many other simple joys aren't on an installment loan or a monthly billing cycle, except that which we call "life."