Spoiler alert: my heart is full.
Christmas is less than two weeks away, and the holiday spirit has not been present... until now. When my wife Michelle and I (Studio T Images) were tasked to follow and document a "Secret Santa" — a Lake of the Ozarks area businessman who wanted to brighten people's holidays with a cash gift — true generosity changed more than a few people's lives.
And it certainly lit up our holiday.
Here's how it went.
#1. "Whose car is this?"
We met a Sheriff's Deputy on Monday afternoon, Dec. 16, and headed to a gas station, where three women were gathered around an older, parked vehicle. Fear crossed one lady's face as the deputy questioned who the car belonged to.
He simply asked her, "Are you having a good day?"
"What did I do?" she replied with tears in her eyes. "I don't need any trouble!"
The woman had a rough morning. Then the Secret Santa stepped up and handed her cash with a "Merry Christmas! I hope your day gets better."
A look of disbelief, shock, and total gratitude took over her face, filling us all with emotions. Tears flowed as she gave hugs and expressed her thanks.
The Secret Santa then climbed back into the patrol car. The day had just begun.
As we drove, I began to ask myself: Do I have a giving heart?
#2. A Young Mom
The second stop was at a grocery store, where a young mother stood outside the car's back door to tend to her baby.
The deputy once again asked, "Are you having a good day?"
This woman responded in confusion. "I guess...?"
Secret Santa replied, "I hope it gets better!" and handed her cash. She stood still, almost as though she had stopped breathing. Then tears, hugging, and questions for the overwhelming gesture.
"Why? Why are you giving this to me, to us?" the mother wondered.
#3 & 4. The People Behind The Counter
Two convenient store clerks were similarly gifted and responded with hugs and tears.
One clerk said, "I didn't think there was going to be a Christmas at our house until now."
At this point, the wind or something made me wipe my eyes.
#5. A Woman Walking Along The Highway
About a mile from the store, we spotted a woman walking along the highway. She was apprehensive to talk to us, and seemed like she had an aversion to the deputy in particular.
Santa tried to give her the cash present, but she refused at first, "I cannot take that!" But Santa explained that he really wanted her to have it, so she accepted with thankful bewilderment.
#6. Is This A Prank?
We went to another location, where this clerk was probably the most guarded of the bunch. She assumed it was a prank and that we were up to no good.
But Santa quickly changed her thinking.
Once again, there were hugs, tears, and thank yous.
#7. The Man Who Almost Ran
A man at the next stop mirrored the clerk's reaction. He was getting gas for his work truck, and later told us his first inkling was to run when the deputy stopped.
"Is this for real? Why me?" the man asked when given the present. "Is it the truck?"
Though sunglasses can hide your eyes, I learned they can't hide your emotion.
Santa simply said, "You are at the right place at the right time," and left with a handshake.
#8. Mother And Son
A mom and son were spotted walking from the grocery store. The deputy engaged them in small talk while the Secret Santa prepared his gift.
She was so thankful, and though her son wasn't sure what was happening, he could tell it was important by looking at his mom.
They walked away after some hugs, then came right back as we were preparing to leave, for another round of thanks.
This Secret Santa did not ask questions, did not qualify how the money should be spent, or appear to judge the recipients of the gift.
It was pure giving.
I learned the spirit of Christmas is strong enough to melt even the hardest of hearts.
A minute of kindness and a handful of cash changed the lives of eight people at the Lake this week. Well, nine. Because it definitely changed mine.
Merry Christmas
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