What! Me play Santa at the Mall?

I was 25 and working for Northwestern Bell in Omaha in the mid-70s. It was a Sunday and my sister called. She had gotten a job taking pictures of children with Santa Claus at the Southroads Mall. The Air Force serviceman who was playing Santa became ill and they had no replacement. My sister talked with the Agency supplying Santa Claus and said I'd be a great one and could come down. Gee thanks.

Reluctantly I made the 10 minute drive to the Mall and exchanged clothes with the serviceman and played Santa. I must have done well as the next thing I know I have been hired and am working all the time.

One day I noticed a family in line having this conversation about something. As they get closer I notice that they have a son probably around 10-12 who is blind. I come to the assumption that the discussion is about whether or not he should go up to speak with Santa. Finally they are the next ones up. Their daughter comes up and I listen to her wishes. Once she is done she goes down the few steps back with her family and they begin to leave.

I get up and walk down to the young blond boy and say "You haven't talked with Santa". I then took his hand and led him up the stairs. I asked what he wanted for Christmas and he said a GI Joe. I had him feel my beard and gave him several candy canes and then walked him own to his family. He mother was crying and said thank you.

After the day was over my sister said the mother told her "There really is a Santa Claus". This is still a very emotional memory for me. I often think of that little boy and how he is doing and hope he has had a wonderful life up to now..

I often wonder, if I had not worked as part of the ER in Vietnam would I have done the same thing? I believe I would or at least hope I would have.

It's rather strange that in early the mid-90s I went for an eye appointment in Denver and the eye physician stated "Do you know your going blind?. I was stunned and said no. He told me I had Fuch's Dystrophy and would need cornea transplants.

Isn't life funny at times? Do you ever wonder why things have happened in your life? Sometimes it seems the pieces fit together. And at that time, or sometime after, your feelings and emotions tell you that you did something really great and have touched someone in a very special way.