1. Kevin's Saint
"Santa for Special Kids on tomorrow's broadcast. See you then."
The tag line caught my attention. I raised my head from my book and saw a picture of a waving Santa on the television screen as the Channel 6 news credits rolled by. My heart began to pound. Could this be the Santa I've been looking for?
I picked up the phone and called the station, "That Santa tomorrow, can he communicate with deaf children?" I asked.
Over the rumble of the newsroom, I heard, "Yes, he's a retired schoolteacher who signs. He won't release his name but he's scheduled to be at the Memphis city mall tomorrow. We'll be picking up the story through our affiliate news station."
"Memphis? You mean Tennessee, not in Florida?"
"Yes, can I help you with anything else?" He was pressuring me to end the conversation.
"No, thank you." I hung up, disappointed.
Just then Jessica came into the office. Her face changed after seeing my saddened expression. "What's wrong?"
"You know I love your son like a nephew, right?"
She smiled. "Of course. You're his favorite babysitter."
"Well, I'd like to take him to Tennessee tomorrow to the Memphis mall. There's a Santa who knows sign language scheduled to appear."
A twinkle sparkled in her eyes. "Kevin's six. He doesn't need to visit Santa Claus any more. That's really sweet of you to think of him. But I'd rather instill in him the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus' birth, not just exchanging presents."
My heart broke. I wanted her to know how much it would mean to Kevin. He'd never met a Santa who could understand him. Last year when we took him to our local mall, he signed his name to the Santa there.
"Yes, I'll bring you that," the Santa had replied.
Kevin had cried for hours. He decided Santa didn't give gifts to children who couldn't speak. That wasn't good enough, not for Kevin, I thought. He deserved a Santa who could relate.
"You really want to drive all that way just so he can tell him he wants a Pokemon?"
"Santa isn't just a man in a red suit," I explained. "He's the spirit of giving. He's Jesus' helper, spreading cheer to all the little girls and boys, even the deaf ones. For the first time Kevin will be able to think Santa knows who he is."
She nodded. "Well all right, we'll go tonight. Bring a map and your camera?"
"Of course." I happily laughed. "We have to make a memento!"
Later in the evening Kevin piled into the minivan clutching his pillow.
His mother signed, "Don't you want to see Saint Nick?"
Kevin moved his fingers. "He doesn't like me unless I write."
"That's not true," his mother mouthed slowly.
Soon, Kevin snuggled in his backseat bed as mile after mile drifted by. Palm trees and scrub brush gave way to reddened clay. We drove until the air chilled and the land grew hilly.
I wasn't sure if I was overstepping my bounds, but I hoped this would be a wonderful experience for Kevin. He deserved to communicate with Santa.
When we arrived early the next afternoon at the mall, his mother signed to Kevin, who was staring back at her, "We're here."
Wiggling in anticipation, he signed, "Do you think Santa cares that I came?"
I looked around at all the cars and knew enough to nod my head yes.
Kevin jumped out of the minivan and took his mother's hand and mine. Together we walked through the crowded walkways to the open courtyard. There, on top of a platform, was an older man with real gray hair. His stomach looked pillow-plumped, but there was no mistaking his outfit of red and white. He sat enthroned next to a sparkling, bedecked Christmas tree.
His mother gestured, "That's him, straight from the North Pole."
Kevin's eyes suddenly lit up at the whole Yule scene. He vaulted up the steps and stood in front of Santa. His mother and I scampered to catch up. By the time we got to Santa's chair, Kevin was signing, "I'm Kevin Johnson from Orlando, Florida."
"Hello, Kevin. You live near Disney World," Santa signed back. "You've been very good this year. What would you like for Christmas. Let me guess ... a Pokemon?"
I knew that was probably what all the little boys had asked Santa for, but Kevin's eyes lit up as if Santa knew him personally.
"You're the real Santa," Kevin signed.
"Anything else?" the smiling, rosy-cheeked Santa asked.
Kevin quickly moved his hands to cross his chest.
Knowing what Kevin wanted, Santa stretched his arms to give a giant hug.
Tears came to my eyes as I raised my camera to capture the moment. Truly this anonymous Santa embodied the spirit of giving. This retired schoolteacher gave his heart to the children who weren't like everyone else, the ones who needed to communicate in their own way.
All children are special, I know that, but seeing Kevin hug Santa reminded me of how important every individual is. Whenever I look at my framed picture of Santa hugging Kevin, I want to thank him for a memory that will never fade for Kevin, his family, and me.
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