Santa's Broken Heart

Terry_14

Lets ask Dan ! he and his caring wife see and touch many more lives than even Santa Frank does.

Possibly we could contact VFW or Legon to support a project underway now.

again Thanks for the lift Today be a man and show your love even if a moist eye shows the world the way to your warm hearts

Santa's Dad Terry

Terry_14

Santa's Broken Heart

This may not be the right forum to share my story this Christmas season but Santa's Broken Heart made this heating mans eyes moisten.

Our Son Frank 31 , with 3 children of his own, was asked to be Santa this year. Along with the usual requests for a doll a truck and on and on some funny ones one little boy wanted a ring for his Mom some wanted shoes some cloths some had been just a little bad but could change.

But one will stand out in his mind and ours for EVER.

The little girl climbed on his lap she told him she was 4 same age as Franks oldest son.

" What would you like for Christmas Tamera ?"

" Santa, I don't want any toys this year all I want is my Daddy home from THE RACK, and a big hug!"

The hug was no problem Frank will hug anyone who asks I get one each Sunday as we share breakfast together.

A bit shaken by the request, Santa Frank gave Tamera a candy cane and a big hug and she skipped off to Grandma with smiles.

With tears Tamera's Mom apologized for the request telling Santa Frank her husband, Tamera's Daddy, had given his life in Irack and she didn't know how to tell her Daughter just before Christmas. They both cried a bit and Santa's heart broke right there.

However you feel about Irack and War we all know A child is a gift to be loved. Who ever you believe as a Higher Power Please this Christmas season say a prayer for the over 2,000 service men and women who GAVE ALL leaving many children like Tamera alone for ever.

Next time my phone rings in the middle of the night for a no heat I'm heading out to give my best and maby it will be for a child, like Tamera, who only wanted her Daddy to come home and hug her.

The lives we touch as we spread warmth of body and home can also spread warmth to the soul.

I'll hug my kids as long as I live
and any one who just needs one.
Merry Christmas Santa's Dad
Terry

David Sutton_6

Thank you!

You got the right place.....

some times its easy to forget that theres more on the line than we think....thanks Terry

also there once was a man one day long, long ago, he was asked how much do you love us? He streched his arms out and said ...This much... Merry Christmas to all

Darin Cook_3

If that story does not melt your heart

Nothing will. The day to day trials we go thru do not compare to the sacrifice made by some very special Americans. Give your kids a big ole hug. Life can change in a real hurry, appreciate what you have now. God Bless America!!!!!








Darin

Wayco Wayne_2

You came to the right place

That's an attitude adjustment story. When one gets caught feeling sorry for himself from some little inconvenience they can right their perspective with this story. May they all come home safe. WW

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Bob W._3

Tough Christmas. Our friend Mike Fasnacht was killed by a roadside bomb this year, near Fallujah I think. He was newly married but thankfully no children yet.

John R. Hall

And think of our vets...

...who we lose every day. Below is the text to a great song written to honor WWII vets (with the misspellings and punctuation errors left intact). Hearing the narration is very moving.

"A Soldiers Christmas"


T’was the night Before Christmas, he lived all alone,

In a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone,

I had come down the chimney with presents to give

And to see just who in this home did live,



I looked all about, a strange site did I see,

No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree,

No stockings by the mantle, Just boots filled with sand,

On the wall hung pictures of far distance lands.



With Medals and badges, Awards of all kinds,

A sober thought came through my mind.

For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,

I had found the home of a soldier once I could see clearly

I heard stories about them, I had to see more

So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.



The solider lay sleeping, silent, alone,

Curled up in this, His one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle,, the room in such disorder

Not how I pictured a United States Solider.



Was this the War Hero of whom I’d just read?

Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan,

I soon understood this was more than a man.

I realized the families that I saw this night

Owed they’re lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.



Soon round the world the children would play

And grownups celebrate a bright Christmas day.

They enjoyed freedom each month of the year,

Because of these soldiers like the one lying here.



I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone

On a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye

Dropped to my knees and started to cry.



The Soldier awakened and I hear a rough voice,

“Santa don’t cry, this is my life my choice:

I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more

My life is my god, my country my Corps.”



The Solider rolled over and soon drifted to sleep

I couldn’t control it I started to weep.

I kept watch for hours. So silent and still

And we both shivered from the cold nights chill.



I took off my jacket, the one made of red,

And I covered this Soldier from his toes to his head.

And I put on his T-shirt of gray and black,

With an eagle and an Army patch embroidered on back.



And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,

And for a shining moment, I was United States Army deep inside.

I didn’t want to leave on that cold dark night,

This guardian of honor, so willing to fight.

Then the Solider rolled over with a voice soft and pure,

Whispered, "Carry on Santa, Christmas Day is Secure"



One look at my watch and I knew he was right

Merry Christmas my friend and to all a good night.

Terry_14

Thanks for the help

Thank You ALL I will share the kind words with Santa Frank!

Our only contact with the hurting family will be through prayer. Our opportunities are short but the experiance is rich.

Not to preach but I know the man who loved me enough to spread his arms on the hard wood of the cross for me and I'll share him with any one who asks me.

Merry Christmas to all
Santa's Dad Terry

Anthony Menafro

Santa's Dad

Santa's Dad, Congratulations on being a caring and feeling human. I know it may sound like that's the way all people would react, but too many are to carefree and callous. We are blessed to have this world and our lives, not to mention our loved ones around us. I echo the sentiment to pray for our Military, for they keep us safe and free. God bless you and everyone this holiday season.

Anthony Menafro

Guy_6

Iraq

Do any of you know what an individual, or company for that matter, can do for the soldiers in Iraq? I know that phone cards are a big item, to allow free calls home, but I am looking for something else. It seems that a lot of people are taking care of that. Has anybody heard of anything that may normally be overlooked?

Dave Yates (PAH)

communication

A personal note works wonders to lift spirits as do gifts of cookies, chips & pretzels. There's still time. Dec 12 is the date we were given as the last day to send goodies if they are to get them by x-mas.

We did a scroll for our nephew. It ended up having more than 150 personal notes, including those posted here (thanks guys), and we had to add another 20 yards of paper. Kept a bag of multi-color sharpies with it to keep it looking festive. His younger nieces and nephews who can't yet write drew pictures - one of which depicted their notion of what it looks like where he's serving. Wish I could be there to see the look on his face when he gets that(G). The family also gathered to bake him cookies and boxes of chips & pretzels were mailed too.

It's worth the wait in the postal line.

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ScottMP

My life is so Rich

I am SO lucky

I love my family and I am so lucky that we are all together.

My heart breaks for this family and the children. Having just spent a weekend away with my family its hits even more.

Your son is a wonderfull for playing Santa and for giving out some love at this time.

Scott

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PJO_5

Here's a link...

http://www.opgratitude.com/news_newspaper.php

I think this will suffice. Our soccer club is sending stuff to them, but this is a good website.

Take Care, PJO