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Santa and his Helper, by Susan Fairfax Reid

18/12/2020

 
Dear Santa,

Covid 19 has caused bad things to happen to my friends this year. 'Cause of this, I want you to skip my house and take things to them.

Susie and her mother need a home. They live in a homeless shelter cause her mom isn't a waitress anymore. The restaurant closed, so people wouldn't get sick. Susie says she's scared 'cause people in the shelter bug her mom for money and get mean when she says no.

Bobby and his parents need oil for their furnace. Bobby's father lost his job at the newspaper months ago. Now, he can't afford oil. They heat their house by boiling water on a stove and turning on the oven. Firefighters told us in school that this is a bad thing to do. It could cause a fire. I'm scared Bobby's house is going to burn down, and they're all going to die.

Mikey needs water for baths and to drink. His dad lost his job at a gas station. It didn't have enough customers, 'cause so many people are working from home now. Because his dad couldn't pay the water bill, the city turned off the water. I don't want him and his dad to smell or dehydrate 'cause they don't have water.

Debbie needs a bed, warm covers, and furniture. Her mom is a writer who has lost jobs cause newspapers aren't buying as many of her stories as they used to. When they moved here, her mom couldn't afford to move their furniture or buy her a bed. So, Debbie sleeps in a sleeping bag her mom bought at a thrift shop.

Joey needs food. His parents own a gift shop, but people are afraid to go outside to shop. They don't want to catch that virus. His mom and dad put in for government help because most of their sales are in the shop, not on the internet. They haven't gotten any help. So each week they go to a neighborhood church. They get two bags of food there. It's not enough, Joey told me. He says his stomach growls so much at night, he has trouble sleeping.

Stacie's mom needs a home phone. It was disconnected because she couldn't pay her bill. She got government help to keep her flower shop open. But many people aren't buying flowers. That's cause most of her customers are people in weddings or people sending flowers to dead people. The government says only so many people can go to weddings and funerals, my mom told me. Suppose Stacie or her mom gets real sick with the virus. How can they call a doctor?

Georgie needs a computer and internet, so he can attend virtual school. He is way behind the rest of us because his parents can't afford a computer or internet service, even though his father has a job.

Santa, don't worry about toys. I'm earning money helping Mom. And, I can buy toys for my friends.

Love,

Mary
Olive
18/12/2020 03:32:32 pm

So many stories to tell in this pandemic time. However, so many every year are in shelters or under bridges due to circumstance. Wouldn’t it be great to keep this trend up for years to come. I think those that can have all they really need.

Susan Reid
18/12/2020 05:51:03 pm

I agree Olive. Unfortunately, some people enjoy living in homeless camps.

Jim link
18/12/2020 04:09:04 pm

My granddaughters sent their letters to Santa this year and one asked for her family to be happy and other for this "stupid" virus to go away. I like Mary. We need more of her heart out there.
Nicely done, Susan
Jim

Susan Reid
18/12/2020 05:52:46 pm

Thanks, Jim. Sounds like you have grandchildren who are interested in more than gifts and trees.

Denise C Aversa
18/12/2020 06:09:26 pm

This is so sad and there are many cases like this all across the country. This was a very happy ending for a very emotional story.

Tasha
19/12/2020 02:04:53 am

I enjoyed reading this through the eyes and heart of a child. It's simultaneously a heartbreaking and heartwarming story, and I think you captured to voice and vocabulary of a school child well. There is certainly a lot of critical need, and some generosity to support where we can in the times of COVID!

Sue Clayton
19/12/2020 05:48:07 am

These desolate stories within an incredible story played on the heartstrings until they reached full volume.

Susan F. Reid
19/12/2020 04:37:17 pm

Thanks, Sue. I liked your metaphorical comment.

phyllis souza
20/12/2020 05:46:00 pm

Susan, Unfortunate souls in a place where they depend on the heat beat of humanity. For every Mary, there are hundreds in need. God Bless the World!

Susan F. Reid
20/12/2020 08:41:18 pm

Phyllis,
It's nice to know many people care about others during this stressful pandemic. Sometimes, individuals can band together and help those in need. I've seen how fast and effective these people are at helping.

Theresa Nicholson
21/12/2020 12:50:40 am

I really believe that this story and others like it will possibly open people's eyes up to the fact of just how many people are struggling and also that children also think and worry about things we would never think they would.I am very blessed to have wonderful friends and family and I do not need anything for Christmas but to hope we all stay safe and our blessings be answered.

Mary Wallace
21/12/2020 08:37:25 am

This year has taught us that there is a big difference between what we want and what we need. May Santa come to those who need. Thank you Mary and thankyou Susan for showing what is important.

Susan Reid
21/12/2020 01:32:53 pm

I appreciate your comment, Mary.

Ashley
28/12/2020 09:07:50 pm

This tugs at my heartstrings as we all know people right now that are in similar situations and all long to help them persist and just get through. The hardship weighs on you. But there has also been an outpouring of generosity during COVID that is encouraging in the midst of it all. Thank you for painting such a vivid, human picture - always enjoy your stories!

Susan Reid
28/12/2020 09:39:55 pm

Thanks Ashley.
What Ashley didn't mention is that she is the executive director of a neighborhood family center where each week, food, toilet paper, and other necessities are given out, in addition to referrals to agencies for phones and benefits. The center maintains s mailboxes for the homeless.


Comments are closed.

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