Santa Cried Today

1

A little girl sat on Santa’s lap. 2

My hand rested on her back where I could feel her backbone and ribs. I looked down into pleading eyes and wanted to cry. Here I am in the most bountiful country in the world and this child was asking me not to be hungry. I looked at her then up at her parents who stood at the bottom of the steps leading up to the platform where I was sitting. They were clean, but their clothes were threadbare. I could tell that they missed meals just so their children had something to eat.3

“Please Santa,” she said in her small voice. “I wouldn’t ask just for me. My daddy hasn’t been able to find work. He goes out everyday looking. Since our car broke, he has to walk since we don’t have money for him to ride the bus. Mommy, she takes care of Jimmy and me. She cleans the house and makes sure that our clothes are clean. I just know that if we had enough to eat things would be better.”4

What could I tell her? Food wasn’t going to solve all of her problems. I wanted to cry and give her everything she needed. Instead, I told her that I would try to bring her what she wanted. I called my elf up and told her to give me the contact info for this family. When they left, she brought it to me and asked what was up. I explained what the little girl had asked for. She started crying and I wanted to. 5

After I left for the day, I called the local employment agency. I asked about the kind of work the man was looking for. They were a little reluctant at first, but then I talked to a man who knew me and when I explained what I had in mind he gave me the information I needed. I called a couple of friends and soon I had him a job. They would hire him on my say so. Now I am not some big “hot” shot. I am just a man who knows people and they know me. They know I would not recommend just anybody. I made a few other contacts and soon was ready for the next day.6

I gathered everything I had arranged for. I donned my Santa suit once again, but this time I would be delivering presents. I wanted to deliver the little girl’s presents last. It was evening before I got to her house. There was one lonely little light burning in the kitchen. I knocked at the door and the father answered. He just stood there looking at me.7

“Ho Ho Ho,” I said in my best Santa voice.8

“Now I know I am early, but I have some presents that just couldn’t wait. May I come in?” I asked.9

The father stepped aside. I picked up my bag and carried it in. I had left the rest in the red mini van I had rented for just this occasion. The kids hearing the commotion came running to see what was happening. They stopped dead in their tracks when they saw who the visitor was. Then they both shouted “Santa” and made a beeline for my legs. The mother stuck her head in from the kitchen. Her eyes popped open wide and she just stared. I was really getting into this now. I had many surprises in my bag and in the van. One special one that I knew would do more than all the others. 10

“May we move into the kitchen?” I asked.11

The mother motioned me in. I carried my bag in and set it on the kitchen table. When I saw what was being prepared for dinner I wanted to cry again. There was some soup in a pot and a box of crackers. There wasn’t enough for the whole family so I knew that the parents would go hungry again. Well not tonight, they wouldn’t. I opened my bag and placed a fresh loaf of bread on the table followed by other food goods. Soon there was a pile of groceries growing on the table.12

“Sir, would you give me a hand? I have other bags in my van,” I asked.13

I didn’t wait for an answer I just turned and walked out to my van. I picked up two more bags, one with more groceries and the other with clothing. The father had followed me out and was just standing there. I think that he was in shock and just going along until his mind could comprehend what was happening. I handed him the two bags and then grabbed two more out of the van. 14

I led the way back in the house. I sat the bags down on the floor this time and took the two from the father. I unloaded the groceries first onto the table. With this load, they would have enough food for a couple of weeks. I then started digging out the clothes. I then handed out the wrapped toys for the kids with the warning they were not to open them until Christmas day. They both promised they would wait.15

“What, who, how?” the father finally managed.16

“Now didn’t you know that Santa knows everything?” I said with a wink.17

“Well I have more deliveries to make,” I said as I turned to leave.18

“Oh! Before I go, I have one last present,” with that I handed the father a slip of paper with the name and address of the place he was to start his new job.19

“Be there Monday at 8:00 A.M. sharp to start your new job,” I said barely able to hold back the laugh that had been trying to escape ever since I arrived.20

He looked down at the paper and then up at me. The wife was silently crying as she stood leaning on their kitchen table. The man grabbed me, hugged me, and started crying too. I waited for a minute and then stepped away. I am not ashamed to say that Santa was crying too. I walked to the front door, opened it, and walked out to my van with tears streaming down my face. I got in my van and started it up, I then looked one last time at the house. The family had gathered in the doorway to wave good-bye. It must have been the devil in me, but I couldn’t resist.21

I rolled down my window and shouted, “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.”22

P.S. Before any of you ask, yes this is a true story. It happened to me this past weekend. You see I am Santa.23