First Ever Visit to Santa Sets the Holidays Straight for a Chronically ill Gal

I met 'Santa' for the first time today. Yes. I know I am in my mid-twenties but I did not grow up with having parents who encouraged the 'Santa' idea.* Despite knowing the 'truth,' I always wanted to pay a visit to the man. Or as I told him, 'I'm at the point in my health where I am open to just about anything. Bring on the Christmas magic and if you please, could you make my holiday a healthy one?'

Sorry. No photo with my Santa but I liked the holiday look on this one!

*Actually we were informed of the truth and then immediately told not to tell everyone else our own age. I'm still amazed to this day how far parents can take the Santa belief. I knew one girl who still believed up into the double digits. Her family would do the craziest things to make it appear as though Santa with reindeer had really stopped by.

I was not sure exactly what answer to expect. After all, I was not getting my picture* with the man so technically you might consider me a waste of a time slot. Not to mention I weigh quite a bit more than the newborn who finished up before us. Despite everything the short conversation I had with this Santa fellow changed my feelings on dealing with these holidays.

*Since hitting my head I have redeveloped problems with lights again. Flashing lights, like cameras, wreak havoc on me. To much and I get so dizzy I can't stand up straight. I was already shopping in the wheelchair so we decided to inform the photographers pronto. No pictures. Nada. Unless they wanted to peel me off the floor....

Not only did the man tell me he would add me to his list of prayers (which he says now takes about an hour just to go through) he also took a moment to share something personal. For the last nine years, he has been battling Follicular Lymphoma. I could go on and on about what it is but for every one's sanity I will try to sum up Follicular Lymphoma as being a slow-growing form of blood cancer.

This man, whose been battling cancer for 9 years, was sitting there giving Christmas joy to hundreds of kids. I was completely floored. As we spoke a little more I learned the two of us shared our same passion for always staying busy and the importance of being positive over the future. When I got in my wheelchair I thanked him several times. Not because I have now gotten to meet Santa but because his strength set me straight. If he can go on battling for nine years and still dress up for hours of children prancing on him asking for gifts..well then...I can keep on smiling as well. Don't expect me to be dressing up like an elf any time soon but I will not forget what I've learned: I am so lucky to be alive! Even if my leg-brain relationship isn't working so well I have so much to be happy for!  

So I say thank you to him once again! And if he were to ever read this: I am praying for you as well. Keep up the fight because you have so much joy left to share with this world. Merry Merry Christmas to you!