Eric Schmitt-Matzen loves the spirit of Christmas more than most! The 60-year-old professionally trained Santa Claus has spent decades sharing the love, joy and faith of the Christmas season to those young and old.
But this year, Eric was challenged more than he had ever been before.
Facebook/Eric J. Schmitt-Matzen
Eric had just walked in the door from a long day at his job as a mechanical engineer and president of Packing Seals & Engineering in Jacksboro, Tennessee when he got a call from a nurse at the nearby hospital.
The nurse hurriedly informed Eric that there was a boy who was on the brink of death and all he wanted in the world was to see Santa one more time.
Without hesitation, Eric agreed to meet the boy and told the nurse that he just needed to change into his red velvet uniform. She informed him there wasn’t time for an outfit change, and that the Santa suspenders he wore under his clothes everyday would just have to do – the boy clearly only had moments to live….
Facebook/Eric J. Schmitt-Matzen
As soon as Eric entered into the children’s ward, he saw the family holding back tears and trying to comfort each other. Politely, Eric asked that the family members leave the room if they were going to start tearing up.
Their sorrow would cause him to become upset, and everyone knows Santa doesn’t get sad – he’s the jolliest guy in the world!
Respecting Eric’s wishes, the family opted to stay in the hallway while Santa Claus entered the boy’s room. They peered in tearfully as Santa plopped down next to the boy and leaned over to cuddle him closer.
Eric described the heartwrenching interaction that proceeded to Knoxville News Sentinel columnist Sam Venable:
“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, 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.’”
Heartbroken, his family surrounded the two and sobbed. Eric was shocked and distraught – he’s spent years sharing the warm and loving soul of Santa Claus, but nothing could have prepare him for this.
The following days were a blur of sadness and confusion for Eric, but after the grim outlook passed, he realized something: he was able to make the boy’s last wish come true and provide comfort when he needed it the most!
Facebook/Eric J. Schmitt-Matzen
Listen to Eric speak about the experience in this heartbreaking video.
Although this memory will always hold a dark, emotional spot in Eric’s heart, he knows Santa was able to provide comfort to his Number One Elf.
Sources: Daily Mail, Knoxville News Sentinel / FB Image Credit: Screenshot via Knoxville News Sentinel
