A CHRISTMAS WISH

For two years now I've played Santa at the local mall,
and until this year I really had thought I had seen it all.

I picked up my morning paper, and in it was a letter,
it was addressed to Santa, from a little girl named Heather.

I read the letter carefully... then again once more,
I put on my Santa outfit, and with a heavy heart walked out my door.

I arrived at the hospital, not quite knowing what I was going to say,
and for the first time in my life, I looked up and asked God to show me the way.

The door was answered by a woman who's face was filled with worry,
as she looked at me and her eyes filled with tears, and she began her story.

Heather has leukemia, and was doing well until new years eve last year,
when her daddy was killed by a reckless driver, whom police say reeked of beer.

It broke her heart, and she lost the will to fight,
so i not only lost my husband, but i also lost my daughter that night.

I don't know your name, and I know you can't grant her wish,
but all heather wants is to see her daddy for Christmas.

Well I went to that little girls bedside, and sat in a chair,
when she woke her face just lit up when she saw me sitting there.

"I knew you would come", she said to me,
"Santa can i please see my daddy?"

Tears ran down my cheeks as i took her by the hand,
and I whispered, "God please...i am just a man".

Then a warm feeling came over the room, and Heathers grip tightened on my hand,
and on the other side of the bed stood a young man.

As he kissed her forehead she whispered, "Daddy I love you,"
and as she closed her eyes for the last time, i knew her Christmas wish had come true.

On the way home I stopped by the church to pray,
and to give thanks for a miracle on this Christmas day.

JOHN HODGSON
NOV 28, 1996