Terminally-ill boy dies in Santa’s arms after being granted final wish — Video


santa boy diesIn an article posted Monday at the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Sam Venable tells the heart-wrenching story of a young boy who died in Santa’s arms after being granted one last wish.

Venable wrote:

ā€œI’d just gotten home from work that day,ā€ recalled Schmitt-Matzen, 60, a mechanical engineer and president of Packing Seals & Engineering in Jacksboro.

ā€œThe telephone rang. It was a nurse I know who works at the hospital. She said there was a very sick 5-year-old boy who wanted to see Santa Claus.

ā€œI told her, ā€˜OK, just let me change into my outfit.’ She said, ā€˜There isn’t time for that. Your Santa suspenders are good enough. Come right now.’ ā€

Schmitt-Matzen got to the hospital in 15 minutes. He met the lad’s mother and several family members.

ā€œShe’d bought a toy from (the TV show) PAW Patrol and wanted me to give it to him,ā€ he said, voice growing husky. ā€œI sized up the situation and told everyone, ā€˜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.’ ā€

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:

ā€œWhen 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, ā€˜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!

ā€œHe looked up and said, ā€˜I am?’

ā€œI said, ā€˜Sure!’

ā€œI 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.

ā€˜ā€œThey say I’m gonna die,’ he told me. ā€˜How can I tell when I get to where I’m going?’

ā€œI said, ā€˜Can you do me a big favor?’

ā€œHe said, ā€˜Sure!’

ā€œWhen you get there, you tell ’em you’re Santa’s Number One elf, and I know they’ll let you in.

ā€œHe said, ā€˜They will?’

ā€œI said, ā€˜Sure!’

ā€œHe kinda sat up and gave me a big hug and asked one more question: ā€˜Santa, can you help me?’

ā€œI 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.

Here’s video of the story:

Venable’s entire story can be seen here, and it’s well worth reading…

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