Santa

miami · 13 Dec 2016

If you're on a Manchester to Crewe train and worinder why the grown man at the end of the carriage is crying:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/38293294

Eric Schmitt-Matzen rushed to a local in Tennessee hospital after receiving a call about a terminally ill five-year-old boy who wanted to see Santa Claus.
The 60-year-old impersonator said he gave the child a present and a big hug before holding him as he died.
...
"The little guys and girls have a hard time fathoming the whole concept of death, but they know Christmas and they know they have a lot of fun" he said.
"He [the boy in the latest case] was more concerned about missing Christmas than he was about dying. All he knew was he didn't feel good."
Mr Schmitt-Matzen said he gave the boy a toy from the television show PAW Patrol that his mother had purchased.
The boy asked him where he was going after he died, and Mr Schmitt-Matzen told him he was "Santa's Number One elf" and he would be welcomed.
The child then sat up to give his visitor a hug and he asked one final question: "Santa, can you help me?"

RailUK Forums

Monty · 13 Dec 2016

I had to confess I cried when I read that last night, so heart wrenching. I hope as a father I never have to enduring anything so heartbreaking.

Busaholic · 13 Dec 2016

It puts all this into perspective, does it not? My brother died at five, and it altered my family's life for ever.

Strathclyder · 14 Dec 2016

The boy asked him where he was going after he died, and Mr Schmitt-Matzen told him he was "Santa's Number One elf" and he would be welcomed.
The child then sat up to give his visitor a hug and he asked one final question: "Santa, can you help me?"

I think I just felt my heart break. Can't imagine what it must feel like for a parent to lose a child, especially at such a young age...

Heinz57 · 14 Dec 2016

I watched a video interiew Mr Schmitt-Matzen the other day, he was crying the whole way through as he spoke about what happened. Truly heartbreaking stuff!

507021 · 14 Dec 2016

Absolutely heartbreaking story, it's made me feel very emotional.

I can't imagine what it's like for a parent to lose a child, especially at that age. It's something I hope I never have to experience.

GatwickDepress · 14 Dec 2016

I cried when I read this during my lunch break. It's heartbreaking, and Mr. Schmitt-Matzen has the character to have Santa'ed at four children's deathbeds... amazing.

DarloRich · 15 Dec 2016

I may now become the destroyer of Christmas but there are on line reports in reputable media outlets that this story may not be true!

J-2739 · 15 Dec 2016

This is truly sad. I didn't cry, but I felt that I might.

DarloRich said:
I may now become the destroyer of Christmas but there are on line reports in reputable media outlets that this story may not be true!

What reputable news sites? The Daily Mail?

Santa

miami

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RailUK Forums

Monty

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Busaholic

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Strathclyder

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Heinz57

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507021

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GatwickDepress

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DarloRich

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J-2739

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