Posted on 12/12/2016 9:05:41 AM PST by nickedknack
A 60-year-old Tennessee man who spends time volunteering as Santa Claus at a local hospital granted a 5-year-old terminally ill boy his final wish this holiday season, and held him as he died in his arms.
“I spent four years in the Army with the 75th Rangers, and I’ve seen my share of [stuff],” Eric Schmitt-Matzen told USA Today. “But I ran by the nurses’ station bawling my head off. I know nurses and doctors see things like that every day, but I don’t know how they can take it.”
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
That man is a saint.
In addition to the real beard & mustache, Santa says he’s 6 feet, 310 pounds, with “just enough lap for the children.” A perfect Kris Kringle.
Thank you- beautifully and simply expressed.
Yes, Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus.
I was just writing in a Christmas card to my good friend that is dying of cancer. She doesn’t have long to live and I’m 1500 miles away and not able to visit her. I was struggling as to what to say and took a mental break, came here, and saw this article and your post. She will meet this sweet Santa’s elf in heaven soon.
Good bless you.
My father passed away two years ago a few days before Thanksgiving.
God Bless you for your work in hospice! My father passed away just one month ago after 6 months in hospice care. The hospice nurses and aides were a tremendous help to him and all of us in his last weeks and months. What a great, humane calling.
To Christ be all the glory!
This child is in His arms!
“There’s a link in the Fox News article to another in USA Today. That’s a real beard & mustache Santa sports. He keeps it groomed & bleached white for his yearly role visiting sick children.”
One of my choirmates is a “real” Santa also. I’ve watched him and it’s a genuine labor of love for him. The kids adore him. I wonder how many people know that there’s a USMC Bulldog tattoo under that red suit.
snifsniffsniff Merry Christmas
Wow. I burst into tears upon reading this. I think this poor child held on just long enough to open his heart to Santa, and then, mission accomplished, he could let go. RIP, little guy.
Damn! My allergies are kicking up again.
Good for you, Ranger! You let that poor little guy go to meet his Lord with warmth and comfort in his heart. God bless!
Loss of a parent or other family member around a holiday takes the joy out of it. So sorry.
May God bless you and your friend.
Semper Fi to your friend. Seems to be a high percentage of active duty, reserve/National Guard, retired veterans who do volunteer work. So many ways to serve our country, in and out of uniform (24-year Navy vet).
Dang.
What a way to go for that precious baby. Dying in the arms of every child’s friend on earth Santa Claus.......now lying in the arms of all mankind’s friend... our precious Lord and Savior. Bittersweet doesn’t begin to describe it.
HOORAY Santa(s)
Yeah I think I need a new monitor. This one seems all blurry for some reason....
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