Being Santa Claus, sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the commercialism of Christmas. I watch the toy ads so I know what the children are talking about when they ask for the newest and latest for Christmas.Tonight I was Winder Dairy's Santa again (every Thursday 'til Christmas), and something happened to remind me of the true spirit of Christmas.
For most of the night I had been discussing dolls and ipods and legos and was thinking about all the cool gadgets children had wished for, when a young man in a wheelchair came into the room pushed by his sister because he couldn't push himself.
They went to a table near me where his mother fed him a scone and helped him drink. He looked over and waved at me with one of his twisted arms, and I smiled and waved back with a hearty "Ho, Ho, Ho!"
Just before my time there was over, his mother brought him over in his wheelchair and backed it as close to my chair as she could so she could take a picture. I leaned over and smiled as our picture was taken. Then his mom moved his chair around so we were face to face and he could talk to me. I realized that though his body was twisted and disabled, his mind was sharp and he could communicate just fine.
I asked the boy what he wanted for Christmas, half expecting something like a new wheelchair or even to be able to walk. I was not prepared at all for his answer. He looked up at me and said he didn't need anything, he was happy and had everything he needed. What he wanted was for me to give his gifts to those in need. In disbelief, I asked again if there wasn't something that he would like. Again he just asked me to give something to those who really needed it.
It's humbling to be Santa.
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