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This year, veteran Santa Claus portrayer Eric Schmitt-Matzen was the one with tears in his eyes as he helped one special little boy in his final moments of life.
Schmitt-Matzen, who portrays the jolly man in the red suit every year for dozens of events, recently answered the call to visit a terminally ill child in the hospital just before his death, he told the Knoxville News Sentinel.
“She said there was a very sick 5-year-old boy who wanted to see Santa Claus,†the 60-year-old told the Sentinel about the request to visit the boy at a nearby hospital. “I told her, ‘Okay, just let me change into my outfit.’ She said, ‘There isn’t time for that. Your Santa suspenders are good enough. Come right now.’ â€
Upon arrival just 15 minutes later, the little boy’s mother gave Schmitt-Matzen a gift to give to her son. “I sized up the situation and told everyone, ‘If you think you’re going to lose it, please leave the room. If I see you crying, I’ll break down and can’t do my job,’ †he explained to the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Schmitt-Matzen entered the hospital’s intensive care unit, and sat down on the boy’s bed, asking, †‘Say, what’s this I hear about you’re gonna miss Christmas? There’s no way you can miss Christmas! Why, you’re my Number One elf!’ â€
“I gave him the present,†Schmitt-Matzen said. “He was so weak he could barely open the wrapping paper. When he saw what was inside, he flashed a big smile and laid his head back down.â€
Then, the child asked, †‘They say I’m gonna die. How can I tell when I get to where I’m going?’ â€
In response, Schmitt-Matzen told the child, †‘When you get there, you tell ’em you’re Santa’s Number One elf, and I know they’ll let you in.’ â€
The two shared a hug, and the little boy asked, †‘Santa, can you help me?’ â€
“I wrapped my arms around him. Before I could say anything, he died right there. I let him stay, just kept hugging and holding on to him,†Schmitt-Matzen explained. “Everyone outside the room realized what happened. His mother ran in. She was screaming, ‘No, no, not yet!’ I handed her son back and left as fast as I could.â€
The devastating moment shook Schmitt-Matzen, he admitted.
“I cried all the way home,†Schmitt-Matzen told the newspaper. “I was crying so hard, I had a tough time seeing good enough to drive.†He added, “Actually, I thought I might crack up and never be able to play the part again.â€
Though, one more show helped him realize the importance of bringing joy to children.
“When I saw all those childrenaughing, it brought me back into the fold. It made me realize the role I have to play,†Schmitt-Matzen said. “For them and for me.â€
If a story like that does not break your heart, your not human
Schmitt-Matzen, who portrays the jolly man in the red suit every year for dozens of events, recently answered the call to visit a terminally ill child in the hospital just before his death, he told the Knoxville News Sentinel.
“She said there was a very sick 5-year-old boy who wanted to see Santa Claus,†the 60-year-old told the Sentinel about the request to visit the boy at a nearby hospital. “I told her, ‘Okay, just let me change into my outfit.’ She said, ‘There isn’t time for that. Your Santa suspenders are good enough. Come right now.’ â€
Upon arrival just 15 minutes later, the little boy’s mother gave Schmitt-Matzen a gift to give to her son. “I sized up the situation and told everyone, ‘If you think you’re going to lose it, please leave the room. If I see you crying, I’ll break down and can’t do my job,’ †he explained to the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Schmitt-Matzen entered the hospital’s intensive care unit, and sat down on the boy’s bed, asking, †‘Say, what’s this I hear about you’re gonna miss Christmas? There’s no way you can miss Christmas! Why, you’re my Number One elf!’ â€
“I gave him the present,†Schmitt-Matzen said. “He was so weak he could barely open the wrapping paper. When he saw what was inside, he flashed a big smile and laid his head back down.â€
Then, the child asked, †‘They say I’m gonna die. How can I tell when I get to where I’m going?’ â€
In response, Schmitt-Matzen told the child, †‘When you get there, you tell ’em you’re Santa’s Number One elf, and I know they’ll let you in.’ â€
The two shared a hug, and the little boy asked, †‘Santa, can you help me?’ â€
“I wrapped my arms around him. Before I could say anything, he died right there. I let him stay, just kept hugging and holding on to him,†Schmitt-Matzen explained. “Everyone outside the room realized what happened. His mother ran in. She was screaming, ‘No, no, not yet!’ I handed her son back and left as fast as I could.â€
The devastating moment shook Schmitt-Matzen, he admitted.
“I cried all the way home,†Schmitt-Matzen told the newspaper. “I was crying so hard, I had a tough time seeing good enough to drive.†He added, “Actually, I thought I might crack up and never be able to play the part again.â€
Though, one more show helped him realize the importance of bringing joy to children.
“When I saw all those childrenaughing, it brought me back into the fold. It made me realize the role I have to play,†Schmitt-Matzen said. “For them and for me.â€
If a story like that does not break your heart, your not human
, some are taken too soon.