I was at my usual post in the morning.  I traditionally see a parade of special needs children and adults.  Most have become regulars.   This one morning a group came in and I was asking them what they wanted for Christmas and the normal request along with requests to see parents, get a car or be able to live on their own.  This one young woman came up and sat on my lap, I asked what she wanted for Christmas.  I was told by the group supervisor that she did not talk but did like to sing on occasion.   I then asked if she liked to sing.  She shook her head in the affirmative.  I asked if she had a favorite Christmas song, once again she nodded yes.   I asked if she would sing it for me.  She shook her head no.   She then leaned in and whispered slowly...t o g e t h e r.   I smiled and said that would be my honor.   I asked if she could start and I would join her.  she grinned a huge grin!   very softly and in the wrong key she began Silent Night....I joined in and did my best to follow what ever key she moved to.   she got louder and stronger and she was glowing as we sang...tears started to trickle down her face.  When we got done.  she gave me the biggest hug I have had in a long time.   it lasted for a while.   she was beaming and proud.   The elves, other patrons, her group were a mix of tears and smiles....
​The Lord asks us to make a joyful noise.  And we did.  The beautiful song Silent Night will never be the same for me.   This was my year to learn the meaning....between seeing the chapel where it was written and then to have it sung with such great importance and meaning.    We should all embrace the joyful noise in each one of us.

It was another busy travel day for this jolly old elf.   Things were backed up at O'Hare liked it tends to do.   after many hours of working to find a way out of the airport to my next destination.   I was given a voucher to spend the night at the Hilton hotel right at the airport.  

I proceeded to go down to use the underground tunnel.   You never know what you will find down there.   Sometimes great instrumentalist, singers, artist.  This time a high school girls choir were using the great acoustical sound to rehearse before they got on a flight to Europe.
​I am tired and not really paying attention and I hear "THERE HE IS!"   I look behind me to see who HE was....no one was behind me.   I then realized HE was ME.   They all start screaming and asking me...."is it real?"  and "can I touch it?"   Needless to say it is a bit dis-concerning when 40 high school girls are running towards you asking those questions... (now if I had done what they were saying and doing I would be in jail).   We took pictures, sang together (Christmas songs) even the choir director joined in.  She told me that I definitely had a Beard that people would like to fondle.....Does that make me a BILF?

They headed off to Europe with a smile on their faces, a song in their hearts and the spirit of Christmas to carry them until winter.

​

I spend a good majority of the year traveling.  The Mrs. actually runs things at home.   I was flying (commercial) and had landed at O'Hare.  It was the summer and things can get quite backed up.   The concourse was crowded, flights delayed and/or cancelled.   Many folks had lost their cool and quite frustrated with air travel.   I stood (since there were no seats available) next to a pillar and was smiling and watching folks.   Travel does not get me worked up.  It is what it is....  As I stood there a woman was starring at me, not that all unusual.   I have gotten comfortable with it.   She finally asked me if I was uh...him.  I said you want a hymn?  She said no are you know HIM...the Santa I grew up with?  I said I just might be....  She then preceded to tell me about her horrible day and now she was not going to get home to her family.  She asked me if she could get a hug because she remembered how hugs from Santa made everything better.  I said of course.   She gave me a hug hug and I embraced her as well.   Tears started to flow and after a few moments she released looked up and me and smiled and said I knew this would work.  She then called her husband to tell him about the experience.  As I was reveling in the joy I had brought her another woman asked me if she could have a hug....and this began a 45 min hugfest in our little overcrowded corner of O'Hare.

​Never underestimate the value of your positive attitude. 
Never underestimate the value of human contact. 
Never underestimate the value of your smile.

​Go forth and make a difference in someone's life today!

The journey has been a long one to the point I am at today.  I get asked about when I knew...I still remember on a midnight clear when I got the call to carry forth this ministry.

​I had just finished a party at a house and as I was getting ready to leave I was asked if I could make one more special surprise visit  I did not have anything else planned so I asked what it was.  They asked if I could make a visit to a local orphanage.   A local military instillation had adopted these home and was providing toys and clothes to the children residing there.  How could I say no?

​I arrived and the staff was overly excited that I was there.  As I walked in I four of the cutest little girls latch on to Old Santa and would not let go and could not get close enough to me.  I talked with the children, answered questions, took pictures and handed out their gifts.  All the while three 14-15 year old boys were standing against a wall scowling and making under the breath comments.  I asked them if they wanted to come over and get their gifts? Unsurprisingly they said I was not real and they did not believe in Santa.  I told them what part of me was not real?  They started with my beard.  I told them it was the real deal.  they then asked to pull it.  I hesitated then said it was fine but not to hard.  One of them yanked hard and I screamed.  All of a sudden then knew that maybe they were wrong.  Then they said okay the beard is real but you are wearing pillows.  They soon found out that my cookie zone was 100% real! I told them that did not have to believe in me but instead they needed to believe in themselves and also what I represent.  They looked at me as if I had spoken gibberish!   I said Santa is a reminder of what the birth is about and the unconditional love, kindness, gentleness, joy, happiness in each day and about giving of oneself to others with nothing in return.   Now the looked confused.   I asked them to tell me that they believed in themselves. They mumbled something.  I told them that I had to believe that they believed in themselves.  This time they whispered it and looked away.   I told them look me in the eye and tell me with conviction in your heart and soul that you will always believe in you!  This time they got it!  You could actually see the transformation on their faces and in their brains that this was someone different and that I believed in them.   What came next was surprising!  They came over and gave me a hug and told me they loved me and did BELIEVE.  I gave them their gifts and they were delighted.  we took a few more pictures and Santa departed.

​An hour or so later I was at midnight mass praying about if this was really for me.  As I walked out and looked up.  I knew that this was the ministry that I had been preparing for my whole life.

On the sad note.  I have no pictures and no idea how long the message stayed with them.  But then again this is what hope is about!

Go forth and support  ​someone in believing about themselves!

I was staying in a hotel and I happened to be in the host hotel for a large children's soccer tournament. Needless to say word got out that I was staying in the hotel. On the Friday night I had already gone to bed at 9:30 pm, when I started to hear laughter, general noise and running....so followed by banging sounds, and then a big thud on my door. I got out of bed and peeked out the peep hole. A soccer match had broken out. I put on my white shirt with the peppermint buttons, put on striped socks, red shorts, red tennis shoes and my red Kangol cap. I grabbed the naughty book, opened the door and stepped out with pen in hand and the book open. A couple of children saw the book and told the others. Not a word said by me. They went to their rooms and it was quiet all weekend.

The front desk crew stopped me and asked me if I could come in for every youth activity that they hosted. The word spread quickly and I now was staying on every floor!

The power of the pen?

I was sitting at the airport for an early morning flight.  I was sitting quietly reading a book.   Nothing I had on spoke of who I was.   Blue Jeans, Black Columbia fishing shirt, loafers and a cap.
A woman approached me and stumbled to find the right words.  I encouraged her to take her time.  She finally came out and asked if I was Santa.  I asked her why would she think that?  She said her 5 year old daughter; and pointed across the waiting area, had spotted me and knew that I was Santa.  I told her I cannot tell you who I am, you will know the answer can only be found in your heart.  She said then I know you are Santa.  I asked what might I do to help them?  She said that her daughter had cancer and they were on there way to Houston for treatment.  The mother started to cry saying she was not sure her daughter would make it to Christmas.  Could I possibly come and talk to her.   I smiled.   Of course I will talk with your daughter.  She game me her name.   I walked over and introduced myself to Sally (not her real name)  I asked how she knew it was me and to send her mother over.  She responded quietly that she saw the twinkle in my eyes when they walked by and her heart jumped.  I told her I heard she was going on a special trip to see some of my very best friends.  She looked at me quizzically.   I said the folks you are going to see are going to love you and treat you with kindness, gentleness and take the very best care of you.  They only want to make you feel better.  I told her it wouldn't be easy but I knew she could do it and I would see her on Christmas eve.  she looked at me and smiled and said okay!   I then asked her if she would like a special treat that I had for special little girls.  She said yes.   I reached into my travel bag and pulled out a velvet pouch.  Her eyes grew wide.   I opened it and pulled out a bell from my sleigh team.  I asked if she knew what it was and she said it was one of my "special" bells, like on the movie Polar Express.  I said why of course you are right.  I said let me tell you a story about this bell....she moved closer to me,  I started off by telling her that after the big trip we unharness the reindeer and they go off to be bathed and fed and put in their stalls to get the very much deserved rest after a job well done.  We take the sleigh to the sleigh barn and wash and wax it then put a lovely cover over it to keep it safe and clean.  Then my helpers take the harness's and cut off all of the sleigh bells.   They don't ring anymore because as we flew they collect the Christmas Magic in the slots on the bell.   I then take those bells and carry them with me to give to good little girls and boys who I think could use a little extra spirit.  She grinned the largest grin I have ever seen.   I told her every time you see this bell let it remind you of all the people who love you.  You parents, the family, Doctors, nurses, aides, friends, God and good old Santa.  We all love you.  If at anytime you feel not so great then pick up the bell and ring it and sprinkle a little Christmas magic around.   At this point she jumped into my arms and gave the jolly old man a ginormous hug!   I looked up and over 100 people are standing around us listening.  My of these folks had sprung a leak.  The pilot for her flight came out and said we need to get you on board young lady.  She turned to me and asked if I was coming.   I told her I was not on her flight but I would be with her forever.  she smiled and boarded her plane followed by a whole bunch of her new admirers,  I then proceeded to board my flight.   My flight crew stopped and thanked me.   I asked for what?  Being human?   Giving someone hope?  

Everyday can be Christmas.