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Santa Poses With Photo of Baby Who Passed Away, Reminds Us of What’s Important

Photo Credit: Caleb Ryan Sigmon

Last year at this time, the Love What Matters Facebook page posted a story about a mall Santa posing with the photo of a baby who had passed away. The story and photo, submitted by Santa himself, is making the rounds on social media again this year, and for good reason.

According to the post, a father waited in line to see Santa, as many of us do for our children each year. Only instead of accompanying his children, the man waited alone, holding only a framed picture. When he reached the front of the line, the following exchange occurred:

‘I have a request,’ he said, turning around this picture frame. He took a moment. ‘My son passed away, last year.’ He choked up and couldn’t finish his sentence. The entire photo set was silent. I said, ‘Absolutely.’ Without anyone saying anything, he handed me the frame and I placed it on my knee.

The submitter continues, recalling how the entire mall, recognizing the gravity of the moment, grew quiet as the photo team snapped picture after picture for the grieving father and how he, Santa, speculated that this was likely the first photo this father would have of his son on Santa’s lap.

At the end of the session, the father pointed to a particular photo and, pulling out his wallet, declared that this would be his Christmas present to his wife. But the workers would not take his money:

We gave him the printed package, telling him that it was a gift and that we would be praying for his family, this Christmas. He grabbed my hand and pulled me in and hugged me, then turned around and left. As he walked out, we all had tears in our eyes.

This story is not just one of heartbreak, however. Santa has a greater message for us all:

I’m sharing this to remind us all that Christmastime is unbelievably hard for some families. Pray for the brokenhearted. Smile at people. Just be kind. Love one another.

It’s easy for us to get caught up in the consumerism associated with the season, in the harried frenzy that is buying presents and organizing get-togethers and shuffling from one gathering to another. But that is all meaningless background noise in the long run.

When it comes down to it, what really matters is kindness and love for our fellow humans. Each of us has a story, a cross to bear, and it’s crucial that we never lose sight of that or of what the true meaning of the holidays are.

So thank you, Santa, for reminding us of what’s important. This is a story that never grows old.