In early December, Tom finally responded positively to my request and cute reminders. He had even consulted John Dexter in the matter, having been unsure about being able to pull off the ruse.

I worked with John regarding costume rental and it turned out Alcatel would buy him a permanent costume. Tom could use it for our party after John had used it at Childrens Hospital. (And John was going to pay for its cleaning.)

Two days before our party, Tom chickened out. He could not bring himself to be Santa and I was left with all the preparations hanging in limbo. I turned to the only other person I could ~ John.

He had returned from Childrens Hospital that afternoon and I went to him with the burning tears in my eyes. What was I going to do? John just smiled his winning grin and said, "I'll do it ~ I'll be your Santa." I was so overcome that the tears I had fought so hard to keep from falling spilled from my eyes.

When I called Lisa to tell her we had a replacement on such short notice, she asked that I give the phone to John. I did and watched as he then smiled and said, "Sure ~ okay." He hung up the phone and said, "She wants me to give you a hug." He gave me the biggest bear hug imaginable.

At the party, we secured John secretly in the empty Kris Kringle office. (So named because I had decorated all of the office doors with wrapping paper.) When it was time for our gift exchange, a rap on the door brought the jolly old elf to life. We had our Santa.

Everyone was quite surprised by the visitor and delighted in John's portrayal. I am certain that the party would not have had that special spark if it hadn't been for John. And even though I tried to tell him in so many ways how much his being Santa meant to me, he always shrugged it off as no big deal. As if being Santa was just an everyday occurrence in his life!

But in a way, I guess it was. He was the happiest man I ever knew. And he will be missed very, very much.

John and I were coming out of the main building. I was about to cross the street. As with his usual kindness, he offered me a lift so as to cross the road in the van.

We laughed as we both remembered that approx same time last year, when I was 'so' pregnant, he had also offered me a few lifts - except that this time, he did not have to help me in nor out (not to say push in and pull out...)

He was smiling, cheerful, asking how the kids were - caring. At the end of the ride, saying : 'thank you for taking Alcatel Shuttle' with a big smile on his face.

What I want to say is that I was lucky to share those few minutes with such a Great Guy.
He made you feel good, and that is exceptional.