Garrett letter: Thank you Santa

I wanted to write about the Santa Claus at the Boise Town Square mall. On Dec. 18, my 5-year-old son and I got in line to see Santa, and as we walked up in line I noticed a woman on Santa’s lap crying. Santa had his arms around her letting her take comfort in that moment.

As I continued to observe what was happening the woman got up and placed a photo of a young child in Santa’s hands. He held the photo in his lap for a picture. By the end of the picture, the sobbing woman and all of the Santa exhibit helpers were comforting her. Santa joined the huddled group around this heartbroken woman, and I don’t know what was said for sure, maybe a prayer, or just being there to comfort her, but I was so impressed with the way the whole situation was handled with such love and concern.

This woman was obviously desperate in those moments, and she was welcomed and comforted in that time with Santa Clause. Santa even wiped a tear from his eye as he walked back to his chair to continue seeing the children eager to tell him all their requests for Christmas this year.

This whole scene will forever be stuck in my mind. I really wanted to highlight the Santa and his crew for being this woman’s hero in a time of great need.

This story was originally published December 23, 2015 at 7:14 PM with the headline "Garrett letter: Thank you Santa."