ho, ho, holy crap
note this is a long one
Wow! I just woke up from my nap after a very busy morning. Lets just say that I was exhausted after I got done seeing my kids.
No me and my ex had no kids... I play Santa for the kids of the people I work with. Every year we have a breakfast/snack with Santa at work.
Well this morning, from 9-1215, I believe I saw close to 400 kids. At least it felt that way, might be closer to 300 but whose counting. I got to hold plenty of babies, it has evidentley been a fruitful year for the employees. Only had a handful who were scared of Santa.
When I got done, I was woreout and soaked, that suit is HOT. There are rewards in doing this job, one of which is the looks on the kids faces. Some are scared, some are frightened, some come with lists all prepared and some just freeze when they finally get to you. But when you look at the faces you see joy, happiness, wonderment, fear and with a few relief.
Most kids ask for the latest fads or toys. So I had requests for Ipods, laptops and dino-something. Then there is the traditional dollies, ponies, puppies, balls and bikes. Sometimes the kids just ask for stuff you don't expect, world peace from a 7yo, or a 6yo saying that my family is together for christmas.
One of the toughest was a little boy about 5 years ago. I seen him waiting all quiet and well mannered, I would have guessed him to be about 6-7 yo. When my elf brought him up and introduced Terry to me I knew something was different about this little boy. I asked if he wanted to sit next to me or on my lap, he pointed to my knee. So I helped him sit and asked what he would like for christmas. Thats when he hit me with the bomb.
Terry looks at me with big brown sad eyes and says he wants his mommy to be better, that she had cancer, As he said this I instantly knew he was and his parents as I had met them at another company function previously. The room went quiet and I felt the life drain out of me. I knew his mom was in a very bad state and had been lucky to make it tho the holiday season as it was. What do you tell a child that asks you that, especially when you are SANTAwhich is right next a god like level in a kids eyes.
I took a moment and checked my emotions and then wrapped him into a great big hug. While hugging him I told him there are some things even Santa can't do. And that God wasn't punishing him but he must need a really great mommy in heaven to help with all the kids who are there all ready. I asked him to help his mommy as much as he could and just be there for her. When I looked up there wasn't a dry eye around anywhere. we got the picture, I told him to take it home and give it to his mommy. I later found out she died three days after christmas.
I have played Santa for ten years, with the first years we were able to go to help do the same thing for the school/orphanage close to work. With my hopefully upcoming wls I am at a fork in the road and do not know if I can still play the jolly fat man. If it wasn't for a call from an angel right as I was changing I might have made that answer all ready. Well i have almost a year to make that decision, what do you all think?
Wow! I just woke up from my nap after a very busy morning. Lets just say that I was exhausted after I got done seeing my kids.
No me and my ex had no kids... I play Santa for the kids of the people I work with. Every year we have a breakfast/snack with Santa at work.
Well this morning, from 9-1215, I believe I saw close to 400 kids. At least it felt that way, might be closer to 300 but whose counting. I got to hold plenty of babies, it has evidentley been a fruitful year for the employees. Only had a handful who were scared of Santa.
When I got done, I was woreout and soaked, that suit is HOT. There are rewards in doing this job, one of which is the looks on the kids faces. Some are scared, some are frightened, some come with lists all prepared and some just freeze when they finally get to you. But when you look at the faces you see joy, happiness, wonderment, fear and with a few relief.
Most kids ask for the latest fads or toys. So I had requests for Ipods, laptops and dino-something. Then there is the traditional dollies, ponies, puppies, balls and bikes. Sometimes the kids just ask for stuff you don't expect, world peace from a 7yo, or a 6yo saying that my family is together for christmas.
One of the toughest was a little boy about 5 years ago. I seen him waiting all quiet and well mannered, I would have guessed him to be about 6-7 yo. When my elf brought him up and introduced Terry to me I knew something was different about this little boy. I asked if he wanted to sit next to me or on my lap, he pointed to my knee. So I helped him sit and asked what he would like for christmas. Thats when he hit me with the bomb.
Terry looks at me with big brown sad eyes and says he wants his mommy to be better, that she had cancer, As he said this I instantly knew he was and his parents as I had met them at another company function previously. The room went quiet and I felt the life drain out of me. I knew his mom was in a very bad state and had been lucky to make it tho the holiday season as it was. What do you tell a child that asks you that, especially when you are SANTAwhich is right next a god like level in a kids eyes.
I took a moment and checked my emotions and then wrapped him into a great big hug. While hugging him I told him there are some things even Santa can't do. And that God wasn't punishing him but he must need a really great mommy in heaven to help with all the kids who are there all ready. I asked him to help his mommy as much as he could and just be there for her. When I looked up there wasn't a dry eye around anywhere. we got the picture, I told him to take it home and give it to his mommy. I later found out she died three days after christmas.
I have played Santa for ten years, with the first years we were able to go to help do the same thing for the school/orphanage close to work. With my hopefully upcoming wls I am at a fork in the road and do not know if I can still play the jolly fat man. If it wasn't for a call from an angel right as I was changing I might have made that answer all ready. Well i have almost a year to make that decision, what do you all think? 
Wow, this almost made me cry. I think you should still be Santa!
I used to be the Easter Bunny every year for a company I used to work for. We visited an Orphanage in Cinti. every year. Even though some of the kids were so sad, it really made me feel good to make most of them smile. I hugged everyone that wanted to be hugged. Some were so loving. I miss it!
Good luck on your upcoming surgery and happy holidays! Sherrie
Now Jane after a rambling post like that does it sound like I am well rested. I got about a three hour nap and then my dog woke me up coming down the stairs to say hi to me.since then I have just been playing on the puter and chatting with anyone that pops up. Oh yeah I have been listening to house/trance for about three hours now.
We'll see about the padding. If I continue I need to alter the costume some I hate those dang fake boot covers, but have yet to find a pair of boots that I think would work as Santa boots. Plus a few other things that I will think of needing along the way.
I think you can't NOT do it! You have to! That is the best answer you could have given a child. And, on impulse!! You were made for it. Skinny or fat, it's in your heart. There is always stuffing, you know? LOL Don't give it up because you will soon be a healthy, trim, man. Put that suit on for as long as you have that giving feeling in your heart. I think you are a wonderful man for doing what you do. I know if that were my child, and it were me, it's the best thing you could have done for me. I'm sure there is someone in heaven looking down on you and blessing you right now! So, continue doing what you enjoy doing. And, it might not be as HOT in that Santa suit after WLS!! ha ha
Hugs & Respect
Sharee
You are such a wonderful caring person ryan. I know its a hassle at times but you know you loooooooove being sana for the kids. As well as knowing that the kids adore you. Think about how your co workers appreciate what you doeven if they don't admit it. In the long run it's your choice but I myself would keep doing it.
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