In some of my
previous posts, I explained that we didn’t have a lot growing up. We were a one
income family with ten mouths to feed. We had a roof, we had clothes though
probably not the trendiest, we had food to eat though probably not in great
abundance, and we had a place to sleep. All in all, I was happy and I love my
family.
Christmas and
birthdays were happy. We had presents to open, though probably not many. We had
the tree and tinsel, lights and ornaments. We’d all line up on the stairs in
age order waiting to attack what was under the tree.
As I got older,
my wants and needs changed and are still changing.
My daughters, Hannah
and Emily, complain that I don’t give them many options. I mean, I’m good with
a book or two, a CD or two, and a movie or two. Nothing much.
Honestly, I’d
rather Kim and the girls get what they want. I’m good with that.
If I could
bottle up happiness, health, and financial stability, that would be even
better. Mostly for Kim and the girls. I want them happy and I want them healthy
and I want them to be financially stable. I want Hannah and Em to have close,
meaningful friendships and to be able to navigate this world and life in a
positive, purposeful and meaningful way.
So, how do you
wrap that in a box?
Can’t.
I came across a
beautiful story about a parent’s gift to her five year old son, and this little
guy had his wish fulfilled. Something all parents hope for, right?
Eric
Schmitt-Matzen, with a classic long white beard and curled mustache, plays
Saint Nick in Knoxville, Tennessee. He’s done it for years, but this year, a
couple of months ago, it was special. Perhaps his best and most memorable
performance. A nurse at a local hospital called him and said she had a very
sick child who wanted to see Santa.
It’s worth the
three or so minutes it will take you to watch, and you can find it here:
Here’s Mr.
Schmitt-Matzen’s account:
The
boy's mother gave him a gift to give the boy, "something he was always
wanting," he said, toys from the children's animated series PAW Patrol.
"What's
this I hear you're going to be missing Christmas this year?"
Schmitt-Matzen said he asked the boy.
That's
when the boy told him he heard he was going to die.
"Well,
you're not going to miss Christmas, the elves already had your present, we knew
you wanted this for a long time," he said he told the boy.
"Really?"
the boy asked, according to Schmitt-Matzen.
He
then gave the boy his gift "and that put a grin on his face," he
said.
Schmitt-Matzen
choked up as he told WBIR that he told the boy "When you get up those
pearly gates, you just tell them you're Santa's number one elf."
"I
am?" the boy asked, perking up, according to Schmitt-Matzen.
"You
sure are, I'm sure they'll let you right in," he said.
The
boy then gave him a big hug, he said, and "he just looked at me and said,
Santa, can you help me?"
"And
that's when he passed," Schmitt-Matzen said.
One present and
a wish . . . to not Miss Christmas!
A little five
year old boy about to die afraid he’d miss Christmas. A nurse determined to not
let this happen. A mom with a present. And one good-hearted and kind man
playing the part of Santa.
Puts some things
in priority, doesn’t it? Kind of helps us make sense out of the sometimes crazy
and chaotic world we live in. Kinda makes our own Christmas lists pale in
comparison, right? Hopefully, something to think about . . .
Live Your Life,
and Make A Difference!
To My Readers:
Please feel free
to connect with me at:
Twitter
at @jrlewisauthor
Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/Joseph.Lewis.Author
If you like
Thriller/Mystery fiction, check out what other readers have said about my
novels.
Stolen Lives
“Joseph Lewis
has created a cast of characters that you grow to care about. Their story is
filled with twists and turns that keep you reading. When the book ends you will
be left anticipating the next one! This was a story I could not put down!” “I am really glad I happened to see this
Trilogy while looking through my Kindle unlimited series. Great strong
characters, especially George and Brett. Looking forward to reading more from
this author. Started Taking Lives and immediately turned the pages to get to Stolen Lives.”
Two thirteen
year old boys are abducted off a safe suburban street. Kelliher and his team of
FBI agents have 24 hours to find them or they’ll end up like all the others-
dead! They have no leads, no clues, and nothing to go on. And the possibility
exists that one of his team members might be involved. http://bit.ly/Stolen-Lives-JLewis
Shattered Lives
“I couldn’t put
it down, a really good book!” “Great book! I can't wait for next one!” “This
book is excellent. The whole series is definitely worth your time.” “Expertly
written. I ended up buying all the books in the series and am waiting eagerly
for the final installment Splintered
Lives."
Six men escaped
and are out for revenge. The boys, recently freed from captivity, are in danger
and so are their families, but they don’t know it. The FBI has no clues, no
leads, and nothing to go on and because of that, cannot protect them. http://bit.ly/Shattered-Lives-J-Lewis
Splintered Lives
“Engaging
characters you care about. A story that is fast-paced and holds your attention
to the point you cannot put it down. Great finish to a great series.”
A 14 year old
boy has a price on his head, but he and his family don’t know it. Their family
vacation turns into a trip to hell. Out gunned and outnumbered, can this boy
protect his father and brothers? Without knowing who these men are? Or how many
there are? Or when they might come for him? http://bit.ly/Splintered-Lives-J-Lewis
Taking Lives
“Great book by
Joseph Lewis. Many twists and turns. Fasted paced.” “Couldn’t put the book down.” “Great story can't wait to read the next
one!” “Great book! I really enjoyed it. Good author!” “Each character is
developed thoroughly, igniting the reader's interest and stirring emotions. The
frustration of the detective flows to the reader. The young boys are
endearing.”
FBI Agent Pete
Kelliher and his partner search for the clues behind the bodies of six boys
left in various and remote parts of the country. Even though they don’t know
one another, the lives of FBI Kelliher, 11 year old Brett McGovern, and 11 year
old George Tokay are separate pieces of a puzzle. The two boys become
interwoven with the same thread that Pete Kelliher holds in his hand. The three
of them are on a collision course and when that happens, their lives are in
jeopardy as each search for a way out. http://bit.ly/Taking-Lives-JLewis
