Santa Snaps

If you have never been Santa before, all I can say is that the experience is like none other.  You see, each year the Dearborn Rotary Club hosts "Santa Snaps".   An event that begins Nov. 22nd until December 23rd, It's a chance for the little ones to meet Santa and to see one of the more beautiful light displays in Michigan. It is held in a holiday themed building at the end of the four mile Wayne County Lightfest on Hines Drive. We are assisted by many volunteers from the Rotary and wonderful students from each of Dearborn's  three high Schools.  So if you haven't seen it, you should come join us for hot coco, coffee and an assortment of food and snacks.  I was originally going to talk about Santa Snap's but something happened to me this past Friday that I must share with those who read this.

Like many of you, I am a busy person.  Between managing my business, being a father, the neighborhood association, fixing things around the house and every other thing in my crazy life, my schedule stays full.  I can almost picture some of you nodding your head yes, because you know exactly what I am talking about.  I am somewhat of a selfish person.  I enjoy helping others sometime instead of just tending to my family and my life.  On the outside, volunteering to be Santa for a night seems unselfish.  Until you discover my true reasons.  Whenever I voluntarily give of my time to help a cause unrelated to my life, it makes ME feel good. 

So there I was, wearing big black boots, a white wig and beard, I had on a red coat, matching pants and hat, sitting with a warm and inviting log fire to my right and a beautifully decorated Christmas tree stuffed with brightly wrapped presents to my left.  I had a crying baby on my right knee and a bored teenager typing on a phone standing to my left.  There was a huge spot light shining down on me, 5 or 6 different camera's flashing, little kids, teenagers, and parents all staring and smiling right at me waiting for me to say or do something that would help make the holiday just that much more enjoyable.  You guessed it,  I was Santa Clause for one night this past Friday from 6 pm until 11 pm. 

It was about 2 hours into my time as Santa.  As you can imagine, by this time I have heard of every video game, doll and toy there is.  Little kids are funny as you know. Some are shy and some have whole lists of things they want.  Some are happy, some cry.  No matter what, I always wish them a merry christmas, ask if they listen at home and in school, then send them on their way with a candy cane. 

One little girl came up to me bashfully.  I asked her name and she didn't quite sit on my lap she kind of came in real close and leaned against Santa's knee. Her name was Carmel and she was 9 years old.  I was at first confused at her answer to my question, "what do you want for Christmas sweetheart?"   "To go home", she said softly. 

After a brief moment to look for mommy or daddy and to grasp the meaning of her replay, I asked her "How come your away from home?"  (I didn't see a mom or dad, just another group of people behind her in line)   "Because I am at a hospital in Detroit because I have cancer" she said.  My expression went totally blank, all the commotion around seemed to disappear as the gravity of what she said became clear.  I wished at that moment I would have thought of something real wonderful to say to her. Something real enlightening that would have solved her problems but I couldn't.  I just hugged the little one real tight and told her that Santa Clause loves her and he prays she gets better. 

It was all I could do to hold back the tears. Unless you have ever had an innocent child look you in the eyes as she tells you she wants to go home for Christmas because she is in a hospital with cancer you don't know how empty that moment feels.  I felt compelled to improve her health or make sure she goes home, But I can't. I wanted to ensure her that Santa was going to make her well and she would go home, but I couldn't. I felt helpless as the little girl walked away with a candy cane.  Looking back, I wish I would have gotten her information so that i could visit her, but as Santa with a line full of kids, I just tried to smile and keep the evening going. 

The point is that next week is Thanksgiving.  Busy lives are a blessing. Helping the less fortunate shouldn't be a chore, it should be a blessing.  I get to share my Thanksgiving dinner with my wife and our two healthy children in our little house on a tree lined street here in historic Dearborn. No, my bungalow isn't a mansion and my business isn't on the Fortune 500 but I am lucky. There is always little problems, work to do and somewhere to be, but the important thing is that work is a blessing and no matter where I have to go, I always can come home.

Happy Thanksgiving Dearborn and God bless.