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.
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.