Have you ever wondered how much joy playing Santa brings during the festive season? It may not be an easy task, with the pressure to meet every child’s expectations, but there’s an undeniable sense of satisfaction that comes with it. The power to bring smiles and create magical moments for little ones is like a healing balm for the soul, especially in a world that needs it the most.
But few Santas have ever faced a situation as touching and tragic as Eric Schmitt-Matzen, a mechanical engineer who, every year, transforms into Father Christmas for various events and gigs. In 2016, his life changed when he received an urgent call from a hospital in Tennessee.
A nurse was on the other end of the line, informing Eric about a terminally ill five-year-old boy at the hospital whose final wish was to meet Santa. Without hesitation, Eric rushed to the hospital, where he met the boy’s mother. She handed him a gift her son had specifically asked for: a Paw Patrol figurine.
With a heavy heart and the intention of keeping his emotions private, Eric entered the ICU to meet the boy. He asked, “What’s this I hear about you missing Christmas this year?” The boy, after opening his gift, confided, “They say I’m gonna die. How can I tell when I get to where I’m going?”
In response, Eric asked the boy to do him a special favor. He said, “When you get up to those Pearly Gates, tell them you’re Santa’s Number One elf, and I know they’ll let you in.” The boy sat up in his bed and gave Eric a big hug. It was in Eric’s arms that the little boy peacefully passed away.
Eric, a former army ranger, couldn’t hold back his tears. He ran by the nurses’ station, crying uncontrollably. This heartbreaking experience made him question whether he wanted to continue being Santa. But when he attended an event the following day, he was reminded of what convinced him to take up this role: the love, laughter, and joy of the children he meets.
However, Eric’s story faced scrutiny shortly after going viral in December 2016. The Knoxville News Sentinel, the initial source of the story, published an editor’s note stating they were unable to independently verify Eric’s account. Hurt by the doubts cast on his credibility, Eric felt used and abandoned.
Despite the challenges he faced, Eric’s gesture touched hearts around the world. If you were moved by his story, we invite you to leave a comment below. And if you want to read more heartwarming tales like this, check out the related articles.
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