Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Santa!


I am constantly amazed and humbled by the lengths to which people will go to help keep Dakin safe and enable him to do things other kids do. For the second year, the Longview Mall has done this for us in regards to taking Santa pictures. Encouraged by their kindness last year, we contacted them to do pictures this year, and they literally bent over backwards for us. They opened a half hour early for us so we would be first, they sanitized the set, and made sure Santa had a freshly dry-cleaned outfit. Of course, they let us Lysol the chair and Santa himself as well, to be on the safe side. My contact at the mall assured me she wanted to do everything she could to make it a perfect experience for us, and it was.

This gentleman has been our Santa now for two Christmases, and he is wonderful--soft-spoken and gentle with Dakin. Dakin took right to him, which was mildly worried about since he's got some stranger anxiety at the moment (too many shots). Anyway, you see the result above.

I wish I could express to people how much small acts of kindness like this mean to us. I can't. There are no words. Just thinking on this experience and the preparations the mall made for it is bringing tears to my eyes. It would be lying to say that being a special-needs parent is easy--it's not. It's hard, every second of every day. Experiences like this, though, make it better. Helps to carry the burden a little. Thanks, Longview Mall and Santa! We will see you next year!

22 comments:

Denise said...

This makes me cry tears of joy!! To see that beautiful smile on Dakin's face as he sits on Santa's lap is a blessing in my day. I am so glad that you have found people in your life that will help you the way these people did. What a great photo!!!

Tara Bennett said...

Devon, this is beautiful. Dakin is beautiful. This has helped me feel the Christmas spirit more than any
other thing so far. Thank you. Hugs to you and sweet Dakin boy!!!

Tara Bennett said...

p.s. Chloe has the girl version of the reindeer shirt. I love it! :)

annalee said...

no words to sum up how touching this story is! and how touching this picture of your man and santa is! LOVE IT!

Kristen said...

Love to hear that the Christmas spirit is still alive in so many! Beautiful picture...beautiful moment!

Colleen said...

Awesome!!! What a wonderful gift for Dakin to get to see Santa. Beautiful photo. He looks so happy!

Jodie said...

How awesome is your mall? That is great that they do this for y'all. Definitely nice to know that the Christmas spirit is still around. Love the picture!

Sara said...

Ok, TEARS!! It's the little things that mean so much!

xoxox~

Greek Goddess said...

That's awesome. Great picture, too. That is one good looking little boy and the best Santa I've seen! Glad you had a good experience.

Jessica said...

What a wonderful experience for you and Dakin! It always makes me so happy when people show love and compassion towards those who truly need it.

Amanda said...

Oh my gosh, he is the best Santa EVER! He totally looks like him and Dakin looks so happy to be there!

Foster mama K said...

What wonderful people! Brings tears to my eyes. And the smile on dakins face..PRICELESS!

Kristy said...

That's wonderful. I'm so thankful there are such kind people who make yours an Dakin's life a little sweeter.

Maria Babin said...

wow! that is awesome. he must be the real santa! ;)

Junior said...

This is so special, beautiful picture of Dakin with Santa

Mary said...

What caring sweet people. I know Santa was real, and this just proves it.

Vanessa said...

I found your blog through friends Kristen (Georgia) and I have been reading ever since. I'm sitting at my desk crying. This is what it's all about people helping people and having compassion for others!
What a great picture! God Bless and Merry Christmas

Vanessa

April said...

Oh that post made me smile! Thanks for sharing Dakin's Christmas spirit!

Cass said...

So. So. SO. Sweet! What a wonderful post and wonderful picture. It makes me want to write a thank you note to them myself. Merry Christmas!

Victoria Strong said...

This totally made my night. I am sobbing through writing this, but with tears of joy for all of you. Dakin looks so sweet!!! I am so, so glad that you found such kindness!!!

Dana said...

I have never thought to do this. I know go to the picture people on the day when they will have santa there. This is a wonderful picture. It was so nice of them to do this.

Farmer Mama said...

DAkin is so beautiful Devon