I was phoned one day by a Mother who wanted her daughter Sarah to have a spectacular day with Santa Claus. Sarah was often very sick and in and out hospitals. After treatments she got better for short periods of time and the mother thought it would be a good idea to surprise her with a visit from Santa. I thought so too so I also invited Mrs. Claus and and elf to join me.
The Mother and I worked with the girl's school teacher to see if we could have me surprise all of the children in her kindergarten class. Everything went as planned and right on schedule. Eyes widened as we entered the room along with shouts, high pitched squeals and big hugs! The children were each excited to meet me in person. I was looking forward to meeting each of them. I asked where Sarah was. The teacher quietly informed me that she was not there today. She had taken sick that morning and had to be rushed to the local hospital. We decided to make the best of it and spend quality time with the rest of the children in the class. We played games, did Christmas crafts, played with Playdough, took photos and even had juice and home made cookies! Throughout the event, I thought Sarah would have enjoyed this.
After saying goodbye to the children in the class, Mrs. Claus and I decided to stop by the local hospital to see if we could locate Sarah. Usually we get wonderful welcoming reception at hospitals but everyone was busy and very unfriendly. We asked several staff members where we might find Sarah, they were not helpful. I started getting a feeling something was wrong. I didn't know what was wrong with Sarah or I could locate her that way but her Mother never gave me that information. We nearly gave up until I had an idea! Maybe she was in the other hospital across town! We left in a hurry and sure enough we located her name on a computer. Since she was not allowed any visitors, we were told we had to leave. Of course we didn't. As we walked toweard the double security doors garded by a camera we cringed. Suddenly, the opened. We said to a nurse, "Hello, I'm here to see a little girl named Sarah. Can you take me to her room?" I only hoped this was the right area. As I peeked around the door I saw a girl who looked very much like a young Shirley Temple. The early morning light bled through the curtains and fell on Sarah's small body. She looked so small in the large hospital bed. Beside Sarah her Mother slept in a padded window seat. The painter Norman Rockwell had created paintings exactly like this. His work had come to life and Mrs. Claus and I were in it. I stood in the doorway and didn't say a word. Sarah's head turned and said in a soft whisper, "Santa"? Sarah's Mother raised her head slowly from the window seat as she adjusted her eyes. "Mrs. Claus"? We both entered the room and sat down next to the bed, me closest to Sarah.
I said in a peppy voice, "Well, well, well I heard you were sick and I can't have that! Who's going to spread Christmas cheer? Sooooo, I thought I would come by to see how you were feeling." A million dollar smile crept across Sarah's face. Her mother choked back tears as she witnessed her daughter having a moment she would remember forever. "I'm okay now Santa but I feel a lil' sick." Her Mother told us some health updates, we listened closely.I Would you like me to read my favorite book to you? Its called There's A Monster At The End Of This Book. I really think you'll like it." She laughed and listen to every word, every phrase and didn't ask one question. I shared a gingerbread cookie after and gave her Mom one too. Her classmates had baked them earlier that week for my arrival. Sarah said she wanted to help make them but missed that too because she was sick. She commented how she missed everything because she was always sick but didn't miss meeting Santa. She got to see Santa Claus.
I began to cry as I realized the power of giving of yourself, your time, your focus and energy. It was a moment I'll never forget. My presence in that room as Santa could bring a hurting child this much joy. Mrs. Claus had to leave the room for a moment to compose herself. After hugging and saying goodbye, Sarah's Mother walked with us to the security door exit. "How did you guys get in here? They don't let anyone in here." I replied "God knew we needed to get in here. Sarah's Mother wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tightly with large tears running down her cheeks. The kind of hug that is a form of respect, giving of herself and showing kindness back to you. She did the same for Mrs. Claus too. "You simply don't know how you've changed our life today. Truly, you'll never know what that did for Sarah. She needed something like this to get her spirits up. We were losing focus for a while. You really are Santa." I smiled, winked and waved goodbye as we entered the elevator. As the doors closed and in the privacy of our own space, Mrs. Claus and I held hands and cried together. Something I rarely do. That day, Santa and Mrs. Claus met an angel that taught us the greatest lesson I have learned....and the greatest lesson is simply two words to remember. Love heals. |
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A Jewish woman wrote to me telling me about her brother's recent hardships. She told me he was deeply depressed. She said her brother suffered a major heart attack though he was young and physically fit. It was enduced by severe stress both emotionally and physically. He was a hard working, decent upstanding young man. He had a job and was not abusive to his wife or young daughter. The sister said the man's wife had quite literally stolen his daughter and moved away out of state. He had to track her down with the money he raised since she took what they did have left. The man lost everything in the process trying to track his daughter and unhappy wife down. He located her in New York. He had no money left to visit. He just started his dream job when he suffered a massive heart at work the first day caused from stress. His new boss fired him for being in the hospital too long which complicated matters. He had been temporarily sleeping on his sister's couch, without a job, no money for gas, food, clothing or dog food for his faithful dog which slept beside him nightly. He needed a winter coat in order to look for a new job. He needed a few other items. He needed some help! I thought he could use a visit from his friend Santa.
Me, Mrs. Claus and one of my elves rang the door bell to surprise him. We entered the house of the Jewish family (which does not generally celebrate Christmas) and made our way to him. His sister was crying when she said "Santa is here for you. Not me or the kids." He was quiet, humble and yet over whelmed. We provided him with the new coat he needed for work, a gift certificate for a hefty amount to a local fine dining establishment and items for his dog. We brought gifts for his sister's children. It was the girls first Christmas presents. What better way to say "Merry Christmas"
HIS LETTER:
Dear Santa,
I can't begin to tell you how much it has meant to me for getting a visit from Santa. The memory of it still brings tears to my eyes at times. Since your visit, things have been going ok. My daughter Madison has been doing well. We all went to court over the summer and she is getting very good care living with my mother. They won't let her outside of the New York area but I hope that will change. I hope she and I can be together again. I met a wonderful woman who loves me for me and believes in all that I do. Mona (my doggie) is also doing very well and appreciated all the little treats brought by Santa, Mrs. Clause and Linda the elf.
I was able to get back to NY this past fall to see Madison. I also was given the pleasure and honor of standing up at my brother's wedding. It was really good to see my family there. My time with Santa has truly been something that had helped change my life around at a time when I really needed a hand. It was something that gave me hope. Hope in people and our society as a whole. It showed me that there are still people out there who can and do care about others and the situations that arise in our lives. I am most grateful. I would be happy to help out in any way I can with your cause.
I will keep this short at this time as I can already see the tears on my keyboard. Again I thank you so very much for all the work that you do. If you would like to get back to me, please feel free to do so...I can be reached at the following:
Sincerely,
Adam
PS: Here is a photo of my new girl friend and my dog.
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