John Dorroh is 63 today, but when he was a child, he couldn’t figure out why his mother, Sue Dorroh, would have to “run errands” every Christmas Eve day. Dorroh said his mom would always make some excuse, like running errands, grab her car keys, and vanish for a while.
After his mother passed away, he was finally able to figure out where she disappeared to all those years.
John learned of what his mother had been up to thanks to a letter he received from an old co-worker of hers named Robert.
John never could figure out why his mother had to run errands on Christmas Eve. It turns out, his mom’s “errands” were really just heartwarming time she spent with another family every holiday.
“Mom’s Secret Mission”
The letter that Robert sent to John read:
“Dear Johnny, I just wanted you to know how much my family and I appreciate what your mother has done for us for all of these years. Every year on Christmas Eve day your mom comes to my house dress [sic] like Mrs. Claus and gives my kids a Christmas that we can’t afford to give them. She has given them shoes, shirts, jeans, toys, and candy.”
Every Christmas Eve, John’s mom was playing an angel.
“I know your heart is heavy and that you are missing Miss Sue. We do, too,” the letter continued. “We loved her and just wanted you to know what she has done for us. Love, Robert and Nellie and the kids.”
John said he was touched by Robert’s words about his late mother. He said the letter was the best Christmas gift he ever received.
John wanted everyone to know about his mom’s selfless act, so he wrote a short story about her Christmas giving titled “Mom’s Secret Mission,” which has now been published in “Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Joy of Christmas.”
What a wonderful woman and story to celebrate during this special time of year.