Tell about a time when you did a secret service for someone. What was it? How did it make you feel?
For several Christmases in a row, my husband dressed like Santa, the kids like hokey elves, and we delivered gifts on Christmas morning before we opened our gifts.
My favorite Christmas morning was the first year we paraded as Santa and his helpers. We knew of a family who had really struggled because the dad was wrongfully in prison. The mom was trying to make ends meet with two little children at home. (different family from the one pictured) Thankfully, the dad was pardoned by the governor and was coming home Christmas Eve. We realized that having daddy home was the best Christmas gift ever, but we wanted to make sure there were also gifts under the tree.
We met the mom in a parenting class, so we talked to the other attendees who graciously donated TONS of toys and clothes. Our family was blessed to be the deliverers. The mom didn’t really know us, but might have recognized Rick and I. She had never seen our children, so they dressed like elves and helped carry in the booty. Rick really disguised himself well with MANY pillows, eyebrows, beard and make-up. I hid in Santa’s sleigh, waiting impatiently for their return.
After Santa and the three elves made a mad dash to the get-away car, I asked for a run down of the pseudo-heist. All talking at once, the kids said there were only two gifts under the tree and the parents were speechless. The mom kept examining Santa, trying to figure out who he was. The elves put the gifts under the tree, then the mom hugged Santa. I asked what happened next and Rick replied, “I started getting tears in my eyes. I couldn’t see anything and Santa isn’t supposed to cry, so we scrambled out of there.”
My heart is still full and tears still surface when I think of that morning. Our children opened their gifts that morning, but all they talked about were the two kids that were surprised by Santa’s visit. We all learned a valuable lesson that Christmas morning: It is truly more blessed to give than to receive.
Tags: Christmas, elves, gifts, pardon, prison, santa, secret service
My Sister's Jar 
February 11, 2008 at 11:18 pm |
you made me tear up…goodness I’m a sap.
I hope that I can do that one day.
November 23, 2008 at 9:48 pm |
[…] 4. What is your favorite Christmas memory? Of all my questions asking surprises, this one won. All five of us mentioned one or both of these times: our family Christmas in Flagstaff and the Christmas we delivered gifts to a family in need. The Flagstaff Christmas is worthy of its own blog… in the next few days, I promise. And the gift giving one is here: https://mysistersjar.wordpress.com/2008/02/11/5-from-my-sisters-jar/ […]