Santa Jack

Although they had been married for three years, Alice and Jack spent Christmas together for the first time in 1946.  Jack left with his battalion just two days after their wedding and Alice remained at home with her parents until he returned. Looking back over the years, Alice was grateful for all the wonderful Christmas memories they shared. Their daughter Bonny, visiting for the holidays, had pulled out the old cardboard box of family photos, prompting her mother to once more tell the story of Jack’s seasonal transformation into Santa Claus.

The first Christmas together was bittersweet. Jack was home, but his two older brothers had not survived the war. Each had left behind a wife and between them five young children. Jack was determined to make the holiday something special for them and a tradition was born that brought delight to thousands of children for the next sixty years. Alice searched the box of photos for one of Jack as Santa that first year.
“Oh my,” laughed Bonny “he was the most pathetic looking Santa.”
“The little ones were so excited,” recalled Alice. “Santa was visiting them in their own house and to them he was the real deal.”
Another photo of Jack with the five beaming children confirmed her memory.
Bonny wondered aloud, “Who put his costume together? The stuffing is lumpy and his beard is so sad.”
With some embarrassment Alice admitted she had made the costume. “But look at his face Bonny, look at the twinkle in his eyes. That’s what the children saw that day.”
Jack continued to delight his brother’s children and over the years his own children in the now annual event. The families would gather and Santa would arrive for his visit. Photos proved the costume had improved over the years and Bonny commented  “He really did look like Santa Claus by the time I came along. He certainly had me fooled.” Alice smiled knowing how happy Jack would be to hear that.
Bonny chuckled “Funny, the older kids never let the secret out.”
“They were sworn to secrecy.” Alice reminded her “You kept his identity from your kids for a long time too.”
Eventually Jack was such a good Santa, he began visiting local schools and hospitals, sharing his love of the season with several generations of children. Over the years, less stuffing was required and the beard became a permanent fixture. “He actually became Santa each Christmas.” lamented Alice.
Worried the conversation could bring her mother down, Bonny tried to change the subject. But Alice wouldn’t have it, this year especially she found comfort in talking about the good old days.

The previous Christmas, Jack donned his costume and made his rounds, visiting the children’s ward at the hospital, the little ones at the school and daycare centre nearby and the seniors at the old folks home. Little did they know, a year later, Jack would be living there. In February he suffered a stroke and Alice couldn’t provide the care he needed. Their children convinced her, and she relented, Jack would have to be moved, temporarily, to the care home. She visited him daily, insisting she would keep his beard trimmed when the caregivers told her he would have to be clean shaven. Dr. Patterson and many of the nurses had been the little ones who received a visit from Jack as Santa Claus through the years. They knew how much it meant to Alice and Jack and assured her he would not be shaved.  With Alice providing plenty of encouragement, by December Jack was showing great progress. But then, with Christmas a week away, Dr. Patterson had shared his opinion with Alice. “It’s not looking like Jack will be ready to go home.” he told her. Alice fought back her tears as she attempted to assure the doctor she was okay. “We can’t rush him,” she said “he’ll come home when you see fit.”

She and Bonny had enjoyed that afternoon rummaging through the photos, laughing and reminiscing. For the next few days they prepared for the family celebration. Everyone would be home on                  Christmas Eve Eve. The house would be filled with children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, in-laws and a very special new member, the first great grandchild. Jack would be the only one missing.
Alice and Bonny visited him on the morning of the family celebration. Had she imagined she saw that twinkle in his eyes as Bonny kissed him goodbye?  “I wish you could be there.” Alice whispered to him as she was leaving. On the way out they ran into Dr. Patterson. “Jack’s coming along.” he said, “I’m confident he’ll be home very soon.”  Alice warned Bonny “I’ll probably cry all the way home, then I’ll pull myself together.” Bonny took her hand and said “Me too.”

That evening the house overflowed with family and friends, laughter, music and good food. Bonny was taking pictures to add to the box of photos. Suddenly the youngest children were squealing with delight. Standing at the front door was Santa Claus. Alice didn’t realize what was happening until she saw the elves with him; Dr. Patterson, nurses and caregivers. Santa Jack was home. The house erupted. Neighbours had gathered outside and joined in the jubilation.

Bonny arranged that surprise almost twenty years ago and it was the last time the whole family was together. Alice and Jack had both passed away by the following Christmas. But the memory of that night is saved in the family’s box of photos and in the heart of everyone who knew Santa Jack.