Santa's Mission

Santa's Mission

         Sam climbed aboard his lofty seat at the top of his sleigh. He’d been one of Santa’s very special helpers for many a year in the Christmas Parade. As he sat down and looked around, he wondered if the ‘elves’ had a drink or two when they were painting this sleigh.

         “Ho, ho ho!” he practiced as he looked down the length of the float, spying all of the southern ends of north bound reindeer. “Hope they didn’t eat beans. Ho, ho ho!”

         Sam snuggled down in the huge, bright green, covered lazy boy at the front of the sleigh. Its slipcover made Sam stand out like a neon light bulb. Only he wasn’t a skinny neon tube, he was a huge red spotlight.

         The parade began bands and floats left the staging area when their number was called.

         Children laughed and clambered to gather the candy scattered by all of the float riders. They waved to the beauty queens and all of the little princesses. Everyone was in a bright and cheerful mood, even though it was way below freezing. A sea of bright eyes, red noses and cheeks, and huge smiles met Sam as his float left the staging area.

         He loved being Santa’s helper. Ho, ho-ing down the parade route, waving to all of the happy children, filled him with the joy of the season.

         When Sam reached the end of the parade route, the children all gathered round the float to talk to him. He kissed the babies, and listened to all the wishes. When the party was finally winding down one little girl tugged on the back of his suit. Sam turned to see the saddest blue eyes he’d ever seen.

         A quiet, “Ho, ho ho! Now what’s wrong here?” He kneeled down in front of the little girl. She looked just like a porcelain doll all dressed up for winter in her finery, but so very sad.

         She motioned for Santa to lean closer. She whispered in his ear. “I only have one wish, and mama says I can’t ask because you can’t do anything about it. But, please Santa please, bring home my Daddy for Christmas.”

         Sam didn’t know what to say, “Where is your Daddy, sweetie?”

         “He’s with his unit, they’re Marines. He’s in Afghanistan. Can you please bring my Daddy home for Christmas?” she asked with a sense of honesty and longing that broke Sam’s heart. What was he going to tell her?

         “Let me see what I can do. What’s your Daddy’s name? I can’t promise that Uncle Sam will listen to me, but I’ll give him a call. Now sweetie, don’t get your hopes up, Uncle Sam can be really stubborn.”

         The little girl smiled and melted Sam’s heart, as she turned and ran back to her mother. He could see the worry in the mom’s eyes as she realized what her daughter had asked for. Santa waved at both of them as he left for his own Chevy sleigh.

         Retired, Captain Sam Malone knew he had some favors due. He made a few calls, and irritated a few old friends. He was turned down and told to go home more than once. That bull dog tenacity that the Marines instilled wouldn’t let him give up. For the weeks before Christmas he shuffled papers, made calls, begged and cajoled; until finally he and a friend came up with a plan.

         It wasn’t a sleigh, but an old red Chevy truck, that pulled up to the house. Two men in uniform, Santa in his bright red suit and his new friend in a crisp dress Marine uniform strode purposefully to the door. Santa knocked while the Marine stood behind. That precious little girl stood before him once again. Her mother behind her wiping her hands on the dish towel, ready for her little girl’s broken heart that was sure to come.

         “Uncle Sam wouldn’t listen?” she said with a sniffle, the tears started to well.

         “No, sweetie pie, I had to work and work, but I finally made him listen.” Sam tweaked her nose and stepped aside.

         “Hey there Ashley,” Daddy said with his arms open wide.

         “Daddy!” She ran and she jumped into her daddy’s arms. The twinkle in her eyes, the smile on her face was all Sam needed. He slowly backed away, mission accomplished. Sam smiled at Ashley’s mom with a snappy salute and a wink of his eye.

         “Merry Christmas to all,” Sam said as he waved to the young family and drove out of sight.