Eric Schmitt-Matzen loves to spread joy as Santa Claus. The veteran and mechanical engineer from East Tennessee is a professionally trained Santa Claus.
His beard alone might have you convinced that he’s the real Santa. He won the “natural full beard, styled moustache” division of a beard contest this year. He looks and plays the part of Santa.
One day after work, he got a call from a nurse who asked him to hurry to the hospital to see a very sick 5 year old boy who wanted to see Santa. She said there wasn’t time to change into his suit. His Santa suspenders would do have to do.
So, Schmitt-Matzen rushed to the hospital but he never could have imagined what happened next.
From Knox News:
“I sized up the situation and told everyone, ‘If you think you’re going to lose it, please leave the room. If I see you crying, I’ll break down and can’t do my job.’”
Nobody entered with him. They watched, sobbing, from a hallway window in the Intensive Care Unit.
I’m now going to relay what happened next, just as Schmitt-Matzen spoke to me. Space does not allow inclusion of the numerous pauses he took while struggling to maintain composure:
“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!’
“He kinda sat up and gave me a big hug and asked one more question: ‘Santa, can you help me?’
“I wrapped my arms around him. Before I could say anything, he died right there. I let him stay, just kept hugging and holding on to him.
“Everyone outside the room realized what happened. His mother ran in. She was screaming, ‘No, no, not yet!’ I handed her son back and left as fast as I could.
“I spent four years in the Army with the 75th Rangers, and I’ve seen my share of (stuff). But I ran by the nurses’ station bawling my head off. I know nurses and doctors see things like that every day, but I don’t know how they can take it.’”
The experience was almost too overwhelming for him. He didn’t think he could continue being Santa as holding a dying boy was something that he never considered as part of the job description. But, he got the strength to do one more show, but the children’s excitement brought it all into perspective.
“When I saw all those children laughing, it brought me back into the fold. It made me realize the role I have to play.
“For them and for me.”
Learn more about Eric Schmitt-Matzen’s tragic experience:
In this season of giving, this man has truly given so much of himself. He clearly enjoys this role, but obviously so do the children.
Share this if you think he is an amazing Santa!
H/T: Knox News
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