The Truth:
"The Christmas Miracle" took place in December 1997, according to Susan Leonard who wrote the story based on a first hand account from her husband, Mark R. Lenonard who is a professional Santa Claus.
Susan Leonard told Truthorfiction.com that he has not seen Sarah since the second visit in 1998 and their deepest regret was not getting her contact information.
The Leonards have put up a website that says that the story was also published in a Guideposts hard cover Christmas book. Click here for the Mark R. Leonard web site
The Mayfair Mall, where this is said to have taken place is located in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin which lies about 10 miles West of Milwaukee. A spokesperson for the mall told Truthorfiction.com that they get inquiries every December. There were not able to verify the story. Susan Leonard told Truthorfiction.com that the mall Santas were employed by a private agency.
updated 12/16/08
|
'What is it?' Santa asked warmly.
'Well, I know it's really too much to ask you, Santa, but ..' the old woman began, shooing her grandson over to one of Santa's elves to collect the little gift which Santa gave all his young visitors.
'The girl in the photograph... my granddaughter well, you see ...she has leukemia and isn't expected to make it even
through the holidays,' she said through tear-filled eyes. 'Is there any way, Santa . any possible way that you could come see Sarah? That's all she's asked for, for Christmas, is to see Santa.'
When Santa finished visiting with all the boys and girls that evening, he retrieved from his helper the name of the hospital where Sarah was staying. He asked the assistant location manager how to get to Children's Hospital.
Santa relayed to him the conversation with Sarah's grandmother earlier that day. 'C'mon.....I'll take you there.' Rick said softly Rick drove them to the hospital and came inside with Santa. They found out which room Sarah was in. A pale Rick said he would wait out in the hall.
Santa quietly peeked into the room through the half-closed door and saw little Sarah on the bed.
And another woman who he discovered later was Sarah's aunt, sat in a chair near the bed with a weary, sad look on her face. They were talking quietly, and Santa could sense the warmth and closeness of the family, and their love and concern for Sarah.
'Santa!' shrieked little Sarah weakly, as she tried to escape her bed to run to him, IV tubes intact. Santa rushed to her side and gave her a warm hug. A child the tender age of his own son -- 9 years old -- gazed up at him with wonder and excitement.
Though his eyes were riveted upon Sarah's face, he could hear the gasps and quiet sobbing of the women in the room.
As their time together dwindled, Santa felt led in his spirit to pray for Sarah, and asked for permission from the girl's mother. She nodded in agreement and the entire family circled around Sarah's bed, holding hands. Santa looked intensely at Sarah and asked her if she believed in angels, 'Oh, yes, Santa... I do!' she exclaimed.
When the song ended, Santa sat on the side of the bed again and held Sarah's frail, small hands in his own. 'Now, Sarah,' he said authoritatively, 'you have a job to do, and that is to concentrate on getting well. I want you to have fun playing with your friends this summer, and I expect to see you at my house at Mayfair Mall this time next year!'
Out in the hall, the minute Santa's eyes met Rick's, a look passed between them and they wept unashamed.
'My only child is the same age as Sarah,' he explained quietly. 'This is the least I could do.' They nodded with understanding and hugged him.
'You came to see me in the hospital last year!' Santa's jaw dropped. Tears immediately sprang in his eyes, and he grabbed this little miracle and held her to his chest. 'Sarah!' he exclaimed. He scarcely recognized her, for her hair was long and silky and her cheeks were rosy -- much different from the little girl he had visited just a year before. He looked over and saw Sarah's mother and grandmother in the sidelines smiling and waving and wiping their eyes.
He had witnessed --and been blessed to be instrumental in bringing about -- this miracle of hope. This precious little child was healed. Cancer-free. Alive and well. He silently looked up to Heaven and humbly whispered, 'Thank you, Father. 'Tis a very, Merry Christmas!'
Courtesy of TruthorFiction.com
|
2 comments:
Hi, I'm Susan Leonard, author of this story. Thanks for featuring our story, and for crediting it, as well.
The story can be found in original form on my own blog: http://susans-sea-of-dreams.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-miracle.html
Attribution:
"The Christmas Miracle" © 1995-2011
written by Susan Morton Leonard, as told to her by her husband, Mark Leonard aka Santa Mark
http://susans-sea-of-dreams.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-miracle.html
Hope you had a very blessed Christmas!
sleonard01@att.net
Post a Comment