Christmas Story 07-2010 • Deni Berger
Santa Came Back...
As I read all of the wonderful Christmas stories, I cannot resist to tell my own. Several years ago, while I was still living at home I decided to go out with my dad as he played Santa Claus in a town close to my home. Dad was Santa every year and each year brought its own blessings. One year in particular will touch my life forever. We started out at about 8:30 pm. Dad went to the church for the ward party and then on to several homes, bringing them love and of course candy canes for all of the little ones. A man that my dad worked with had asked him to visit a less-fortunate family before we made our way home. As we pulled up to the house we couldn’t help but notice the duct tape keeping the walls of the trailer together. Santa made his way to the door and soon entered. There were five little children. Each took their turn on Santa’s lap and each let him know what they would like best for Christmas. Santa knew that their parents could not afford the items asked for. With each request he would glance up at their mother as she tearfully watched.
Soon Santa left for the evening. As he entered our van, tears poured down his cheeks. I then asked what each of the children had asked for. The oldest son was eleven then and all he wanted was a CD player. The second just CDs for her brother’s CD player. The third a Barbie, and the last two just a baby doll. As Santa told me how each one was so special, I realized that I had all of the things that each child had asked for. I had just bought a new CD player and I had several CDs. I also had several baby dolls. The one thing I was missing was a Barbie doll. So off to work I went. I shopped a couple of stores and found a Barbie doll. I also purchased some small things to give to each child. I was so excited that I was finally going to be able to give.
The night finally arrived to give these children a Christmas. We wrapped all of the gifts and headed off to their home. As we entered the driveway, we decided that I would be the one to take the gifts to the home. I knocked on the door and one of the little girls opened it. She saw the gifts in my hand and she began to cry. As she turned around she said, “Mom, I told you Santa would come back.” I will never forget the gratitude of this young family. They were so thankful for the many things that I take for granted every day.
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