Todays Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul

[Guest guest]

My Appointment with Santa

By Sharon

as told to Culp

As I pulled away from the hospital parking lot, I wasn't expecting

something special to happen. The day seemed like all others. Every day I

made

a one-hour trip to the hospital for my three-year-old child to get his

daily

radiation treatment. Every day when we left the hospital, we passed the

Santa

in front of the flower shop on The Esplanade. And every day my son,

Cameron,

asked to see him.

Today was no exception.

As I pulled onto the street, the shops and businesses that I'd driven

past

daily for almost six weeks melted into a monotonous blur. I had memorized

this

road and barely had to concentrate on maneuvering my car. My mind was free

to

brood over my worries.

So much to do with only two days left until Christmas. I checked off

my

mental list: mail Aunt Ellen's package...shop for the boys...wrap Mom and

Dad's

presents...

Cameron shouted from his car seat behind me, bringing my mind back to

the

present. " Mommy, I wanna see Santa! "

I glanced to the side of the road, and there sat the same Santa we'd

driven

past for weeks now, waving and smiling the same bearded smile.

" Cameron, I have to do some shopping. There's probably a Santa out

there

for you to see, " I told him.

" I don't want that Santa Claus - I wanna see this Santa! " Cameron

protested

loudly.

" Okay, okay, I'll try to get over. "

I tried to weave into the right lane to go around the block, but I

couldn't

get over. I tried for several blocks and still didn't manage it.

'What is this?' I thought. 'The traffic is never this bad at this

time of

the day.' Finally, I gave up.

" Cameron, I couldn't get over, " I said. " We'll have to see the Santa

at

the mall. "

My son wailed all the way to the mall. I glanced at him in the

rearview

mirror.

'Poor little guy,' I thought. 'He's as pale as a ghost, and looks a

sight

with his hair almost gone.'

I wondered about the results of our doctor's last effort to radiate

away a

second cancerous brain tumor in Cameron's small head. They didn't want to

attempt another operation on someone so young - he was only eighteen months

when

he'd had the first surgery. Oh, how we had rejoiced when they said they'd

" got

it all. " We'd hoped, held our breath, prayed and hoped some more for two

long

years. Then just six weeks before Christmas 1986, we'd been told the tumor

had

grown again.

Although my hopes dwindled, I knew we had to keep fighting it. When

the

doctors suggested radiation treatment, we agreed, even though I knew it

would

mean a two-hour daily drive to a larger city for six weeks up to Christmas

Day.

The drive, stress and worry were draining me, even as the radiation drained

the

life from Cameron's once-pink cheeks.

I entered the mall with a heavy heart. The sounds, sights and smells

of

Christmas were everywhere: Lights and colors flashing, the jingle of the

Salvation Army bell, carols playing softly in the background, package-laden

people rushing here and there, some tense, some laughing. A candy shop

cooled

chocolate fudge on its counter....

'Christmas everywhere but in my heart,' I thought, as we stopped at

the

back of the line to see Santa.

The long line moved slowly. Children whined and mothers grew

impatient. I

clutched Cameron's cool, small hand and gazed at him wistfully, wishing

away the

whiteness of his skin. He was stretching his neck for a better view and

had an

expectant gleam in his eyes. We were almost up to Santa!

Finally, it was our turn. Cameron scrambled up into the ornate, red

sleigh

and looked up into Santa's face with anticipation. I stood off to the side

and

watched.

" Well, what do we have here? " Santa asked, noticing Cameron's balding

head.

" Are you going to have an operation, son? "

" No, he's having radiation for a brain tumor, " I answered from where I

stood.

" What's his name? "

" Cameron! " my son piped up.

" Come over here, Mom, " Santa called. I stepped nearer to hear him.

" You

know that after the doctors have done all they can with their technology,

that

the ultimate healing is up to the Lord. "

" Oh, absolutely! " I agreed.

" Would you sit up here with me, Mom? " I climbed up into the sleigh.

" Do you mind if I pray for this little guy? " I shook my head. Santa

continued, " I had a serious problem in my brain at one time and the Lord

healed

me. I believe He will heal Cameron, too. "

Santa pulled Cameron and me close, and I felt as if God had reached

down

and wrapped me up in a warm hug. I needed it so badly right at that

moment.

Santa prayed, " Father, I ask you to touch this little fella from the

top of

his head to the bottom of his feet. Make him feel good for Christmas.

Your

word promises us, 'for nothing is impossible with God.' We thank you for

healing this little child's body. Amen. "

When I opened my eyes, about thirty people had gathered around the

sleigh,

some bewildered, others with knowing looks. I thanked Santa. With Cameron

beaming, he and I left the mall.

On the ride home, I realized how easily I could have missed that

special

moment. But God had something much better planned.

He had steered me to a Santa whose fur-clad arms were used by God to

touch

me with his concern, and whose lips had offered a prayer of hope when I was

too

weak to pray. God had led my small son and me to a saintly Santa - the

Santa he

would use to put Christmas back into our hearts!