Messages From My Friend

inspirational real life stories celebrating compassion, empathy, and personal triumph during adversity

  • Home
  • About
  • Family
  • Relationships
  • Joy & Loss
  • Cultural
  • Inspirational
  • True North
  • Other Sources

A Family’s Enduring Friendship with a Stranger.

November 28, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

A Family’s Enduring Friendship with a Stranger

Forty years ago, my friend got a phone call from a stranger about a week before Christmas. The stranger said that he played “Santa” for my friend’s next-door neighbor’s kids. Her kids had grown, and there is no need for “Santa” anymore. She thought that your kids might like “Santa” to visit them on Christmas Eve.My friend replied that he wanted to check with his neighbor, and then call him back.

The neighbor said that he was a phenomenal “Santa”. He would call a few days before Christmas, and ask about things for a “Naughty & Nice” list. Things that the kids thought no one knew about. He also asked that one gift for each person would be put into a large, plastic, garbage bag, which would be placed outside, behind the shrubs, near the front door. He would put that bag inside his white cloth Santa sack of gifts. Her kids loved him.

When my friend called “Santa” back, he was given the same set of instructions. My friend asked what he charged for doing this. “Santa” replied, “Nothing”. He explained that his wife had died, and his children were grown and gone. He just wanted to make one family happy at Christmas. My friend asked, “But what about celebrating Christmas with your other relatives and friends?” “Santa” said that he was Jewish.

My friend said, “Please come”, and thanked him profusely. When the door-bell rang on Christmas Eve, there stood in the doorway a Magnificent, Jolly, “Santa” bellowing, “Ho. Ho. Ho. Merry Christmas”, as he walked into their home with a large, white sack on his back. (He made the Santa in the “Miracle on 34th Street” look like an imposter.) Time stood still for a moment. Then, everyone excitedly welcomed “Santa’ into their Living Room. My friend gestured for “Santa” to sit in in the large, comfortable wing-chair, by the grandfather clock. The excitement in the room was palpable.

Dad was first to sit on “Santa’s” lap. The kids squealed in delight when “Santa” told dad about a “Naughty” thing he did last year. When “Santa said that dad was nice most of the time, his wife laughed a bit too loud. “Santa” gave dad a gift that he said he always wanted. And so it went throughout the evening – laughs & smiles – gifts & gratitude – hugs & kisses. It was a Christmas Eve like no other. When the sack was empty, “Santa” stood, and said, “Ho. Ho. Ho. Merry Christmas” as he walked to the door. (My friend handed “Santa” an envelope with a “Gift” for whomever “Santa” chose.) Their eyes met. Nothing was said. But both men parted with lighter hearts.

Year after year, as the family grew with 2 more children, “Santa” was always spot-ion with his “Naughty & Nice” list, much to the delight of everyone, but the person on “Santa’s” lap. Until the phone rang a month before Christmas, and “Santa” told my friend that his company transferred him to a city 1,000 miles away. “Santa” couldn’t come to his home that Christmas Eve, or ever again. The silence seemed like an eternity before my friend said, “You brought more joy to our home than you can imagine. You are a kind & loving man. I hope my children grow up to become like you. God Bless.” There were several sobs, before the phone “clicked”.

The mood at the family dinner table that night was like a friend had died. “Santa” was a stranger. No one ever saw his “real” face. No one even knew his name. Yet, every Christmas Eve, “Santa” brought a “Gift of Love” to the family that couldn’t fit into his large, white, cloth sack. Every Christmas Eve since something was missing.

The above YouTube music video expresses my friend’s family “Dream” for seeing “Santa”, one more time.

One Autumn day, my friend was walking through a restaurant, when he heard someone call out his name. He turned, but didn’t recognize anyone. “It’s me. Santa.” It was the first time that my friend saw “Santa’s” real face. They talked for a while, catching up on what happened since “Santa” left. Then my friend asked if “Santa” could come to his home for Christmas Eve. There was an awkward silence. My friend continued, “My wife’s mother had immensely enjoyed “Santa’s” visits. However, her health was failing after her 2nd heart valve replacement. This might be her last Christmas. “Santa” nodded that he would come. He would need the usual information about everyone there.

My friend’s wife couldn’t contain herself. She was like a giddy school girl. Her mother shared her glee. They both got on the phone Her mother inviting her sons. His wife inviting neighbors from previous Christmas Eves. The list of “Naughty & Nice” would boggle Einstein’s mind. When the door bell rang that Christmas Eve, a house-full of family & friends rushed to the front door.

My friend composed himself, and quieted the mob. But, when the front door opened, all hell broke loose. You could barely hear “Santa” say, “Ho. Ho. Ho. Merry Christmas.” My friend’s Mother-in-Law was the first to sit on “Santa’s” lap. There was Nothing “Naughty” for “Santa” to tell her.

The above YouTube music video expresses the Courage & Character of my friend’s Mother-in-law, that Santa acknowledged:

Instead, “Santa” said, “Florence, you are the most remarkable person to ever sit on my lap. Fifteen years ago, you had the courage to survive the experimental “Pig-Valve” replacement heart surgery. Then 5 years ago, you gracefully endured a 2nd heart valve replacement surgery, as the 1st valve was tearing away from your heart. But there’s no need to replace the Loving Devotion that you have for your family in your heart.” I cannot give you a better gift, than you being surrounded by your 3 children, 4 grandchildren, and a roomful of genuine friends who wish you, “Merry Christmas”, after sharing a lifetime of God’s Love with all of them.

The room erupted with a joyous “Merry Christmas” that rivaled the heavens & shepherds singing at the 1st Christmas in Bethlehem. The Rockefeller Center “Tree Lighting Ceremony” pales in comparison.

It took hours for everyone to sit on “Santa’s” lap. One neighbor had tears rolling down his cheeks when “Santa” told him that because he was a “Scotsman”, he would enjoy playing St. Andrews in the summer. The neighbor was flabbergasted. And so it went for the rest of the night, until “Santa” told everyone their “Naughty & Nice” story, and gave them a gift. They treasured “Santa” more than their gift.

“Santa” kissed my friend’s mother-in-law on the cheek when he left. Her smile spoke volumes of joy. She died a week later. Perhaps, St. Peter was wearing a “Santa” outfit when he welcomed Florence into heaven.

So, Florence now rests in the palm of God’s hand.

That “Stranger” was more than a “Santa”, he was a “Good Samaritan” sharing the Spirit of God’s Love on Christmas.

(Visited 63 times, 1 visits today)

Filed Under: Relationships

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular posts

  • Kipling’s Poem “If” – with Biblical Similarities
  • Art: The Portrayal of God’s Creation, Forgiveness, & Reconciliation with Man
  • Science Debunks Darwin’s Theory of Evolution
  • About “Forgiveness”
  • Lessons Learned from the Movie “the Upside”
  • It Takes “Immense Patience” to Find “The True North Compass of Our hearts”
  • A Violin Table Side Serenade on Valentine’s Day
  • Hat Full of Peas Story
  • “I Found One Love”
  • The Breakthrough Effect
  • “The Kissmobile” – Literally, “La Dolce Vita”
  • A Bride’s Choice of Two Men on Her Wedding Day
  • The Meaning of Wishing: “Merry Christmas”
  • About Thriving Marriages & Lasting Relationships
  • Life’s Two Major Tasks

Recent Comments

  • Michael Kilian on The “Our Father”, with Poetic and Biblical References
  • Karen on The Buddhist Tonglen Prayer, with Christian Values
  • Karen on It Takes “Immense Patience” to Find “The True North Compass of Our hearts”
  • J. M. Bruso Jr. on Science Debunks Darwin’s Theory of Evolution
  • Ken on Thanksgiving – Then & Now
  • Michael Schmitz on A Violin Table Side Serenade on Valentine’s Day
  • Michael Schmitz on “I Found One Love”
  • Michael Schmitz on Evidence of the Presence of the Holy Spirit
  • Michael Schmitz on God Speaks to us in Different Ways – Not Just Through the Bible
  • Michael Schmitz on Life’s Two Major Tasks
  • Jeff Schimp on The Meaning of Wishing: “Merry Christmas”
  • Tom on “The Kissmobile” – Literally, “La Dolce Vita”
  • James LeBeau on Making a Difference
  • Jacqueline Jaske on The Breakthrough Effect
  • Ray S. on Civilization Hangs in the Balance

Categories

  • Cultural
  • Family
  • Inspirational
  • Joy & Loss
  • Relationships
  • True North
  • Uncategorized

Archives

  • August 2022
  • March 2022
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • June 2021
  • April 2021
  • February 2021
  • September 2020
  • May 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • July 2018

Copyright © 2023 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in