Santa Grants A Final Wish For Dying Boy

(PCM) Break out the tissues because this story definitely brings out the feels. Tennessee Santa Claus impersonator Eric Schmitt-Matzen has shared his true heart-breaking experience of granting a dying young boys final Christmas wish.  Schmitt-Matzen received a call from friend who is a nurse at a local area hospital near Knoxville who explained to him that she had a very sick five-year old boy whose final wish was a visit from Santa Claus. Schmitt-Matzen told his friend that he wanted to go home and change into his full Santa suit before visiting the hospital but was informed by his friend that there was no time and his Santa suspenders would be “good enough”. She then urged him to “Come right now!” Schmitt-Matzen made it to the hospital in just fifteen minutes and met up with the young boys family outside of the ICU. The boys mothers had purchased at toy from the television series PAW Patrol and requested that Santa gift it to her son.  Schmitt-Matzen explained to the boys family that if anyone felt they were going to get upset and cry that they needed to leave the room or else he would be unable to complete his job, as it would cause him to break-down as well. Schmitt-Matzen ended up going in to see the boy alone and he later shared his very touching conversation with the boy with his family and the world. 

When I walked in, he was laying there, so weak it looked like he was ready to fall asleep. I sat down on his bed and asked, “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!”He looked up and said, “I am?” I said, “Sure!” I gave him the present. 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. “They say I’m gonna die,” he told me. “How can I tell when I get to where I’m going?” I said, “Can you do me a big favor?” He said, “Sure!” “When you get there, you tell ’em you’re Santa’s Number One elf, and I know they’ll let you in.” He said, “They will?” I said, “Sure!”

The young boy passed away right after his conversation with Santa and despite the tragedy of the situation it is wonderful that the boy was able to find some comfort in his conversation with Santa during his dying moments. We cannot even fathom the pain this young boys family must be going through to lose anyone, especially a five-year old child so close to Christmas. Our sincere condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.