When it comes to men who play Santa, Eric Schmitt-Matzen is one that has been playing him for years. He is 60 years old and it seems as if everything about him is well suited for the role. In fact, you probably couldn’t imagine a more perfect Santa if you tried, and he has loved the ride.
Not only was Eric born on Saint Nicholas Day, he has a beard that is perfect, not only because it is real but because it is white. Of course, he also has the belly to go along with it, but he still has just enough of a lap for a child to sit on.
Take a look at him:
Eric plays roughly 80 different gigs on an annual basis and Jingle Bells is even his ringtone. Of course, it isn’t his looks alone that makes him right for the part, it is his love of children and Christmas as well.
A local hospital in Knoxville called him recently to tell him that there was a sick 5-year-old who wanted to see Santa. When he said he wanted to change, they told him there wasn’t enough time.
He got to the hospital only 15 minutes after the call and met the mother. She handed him a toy from Paw Patrol to give to her son. Santa asked to go into the room alone because he couldn’t handle seeing family members crying.
Here is the story:
“When I walked in, he was laying there, so weak it looked like he was ready to fall asleep. I sat down on his bed and asked, ‘Say, what’s this I hear about you’re gonna miss Christmas? There’s no way you can miss Christmas! Why, you’re my Number One elf!
“He looked up and said, ‘I am?’
“I said, ‘Sure!’
“I gave him the present. He was so weak he could barely open the wrapping paper. When he saw what was inside, he flashed a big smile and laid his head back down.
‘“They say I’m gonna die,’ he told me. ‘How can I tell when I get to where I’m going?’
“I said, ‘Can you do me a big favour?’
“He said, ‘Sure!’
“When you get there, you tell ’em you’re Santa’s Number One elf, and I know they’ll let you in.
“He said, ‘They will?’
“I said, ‘Sure!’
“He kinda sat up and gave me a big hug and asked one more question: ‘Santa, can you help me?’
“I wrapped my arms around him. Before I could say anything, he died right there. I let him stay, just kept hugging and holding on to him.
Schmitt-Matzen said when the family realised what had happened, the mum ran in screaming, “No. Not yet!” He said he handed her son back to her as fast as he could and quickly left.
“I spent four years in the Army with the 75th Rangers, and I’ve seen my share of (stuff). But I ran by the nurses’ station bawling my head off,” he said. “I know nurses and doctors see things like that every day, but I don’t know how they can take it.”
“I cried all the way home,” he told The Sentinel. “I was crying so hard, I had a tough time seeing good enough to drive.”
After this happened, Eric almost gave up on playing Santa but then he decided to do one more show. After seeing the smiling faces on the children, he realised it was where he belonged.
Via: Scary Mummy
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