Santa Is There in the End for Terminal Child

This time of the year it's easy to forget the things in life that matter and get caught up in the material side of life. WARNING: This story will make you want to run and hug your kids!

Eric Schmitt-Matzen of Knoxville Tn, is the perfect Santa from the way he looks to the way he lives his life. He does on average 80 events every year and has for years. His wife plays Miss Santa and he even has Jingle Bells as his ring tone.

For years Eric has helped out at local hospitals and has become very close with the staff. So when a terminally ill child asked to see Santa the nurses knew exactly who to call and Eric rushed right over arriving in just 15 mins.

Eric told USA Today when he arrived “She’d bought a toy from (the TV show) PAW Patrol and wanted me to give it to him,” he said. “I sized up the situation and told everyone, ‘If you think you’re going to lose it, please leave the room. If I see you crying, I’ll break down and can’t do my job.”

No one entered the room with him instead they stood watching from the hall with not a dry eye in sight.

“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!" which made the young boy look up with a smile.

“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?’ This caught Eric off guard but he continued..

“When you get there, you tell ’em you’re Santa’s Number One elf, and I know they’ll let you in." This once again put a smile on the young boys face.

The young boy tried to hug Santa but to weak he had to ask for help that's when “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." When everyone outside realized what was going on the mother ran in screaming No Not Yet and Eric handed her her son.

“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. I know nurses and doctors see things like that every day, but I don’t know how they can take it.’”

Eric had to take several days away from everyone as he was broken by the whole thing but knew he had to get back doing what he believes is what he's meant to do.