Is there a time for Santa to cry?

If you’re a longtime Webster resident, you’ve likely seen, and maybe even visited with, Santa Jim.

I write about him often. I like to call him “Webster’s Santa,” because he shows up at so many Webster events. For example, he’s a regular at the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland, and St. Martin’s Evening With Santa, and the Joe Obbie Farm Market’s Christmas in July celebration.

Those occasions are always filled with joy and holiday spirit, and Santa Jim is always the smiling, “Ho-Ho-Ho”-ing, jolly old elf that everyone expects. But in his role as a professional Santa, many of his visits are not as joyous. Sometimes, Santa is asked to call on those living through some of the worst times of their lives.

Recently, Jim told me some stories from a few of those occasions, which he has graciously allowed me to share with you all. The first one has particular significance to us in Webster. Here it is in Jim’s own words.

Above, Santa and Mrs. Claus visit with Kylie and Kacie Chiapperini (then ages 2 and 4) in the days following the shooting in late December, 2012. (photo provided by Kim Chiapperini)

Delivering joy following tragedy

I know you recall that terrible morning, Dec. 24, 2012, that the two West Webster firemen were shot and killed, two others wounded. Firefighter and police officer Mike Chiapperini left his wife Kim and their two very small children that morning.

Mike had previously bought Christmas presents for his children and left them at the West Webster fire station. Unfortunately he was never able to pick them up that day and put them under the family Christmas tree.

A few days after Christmas I received a phone call from one of the officers at the West Webster Fire Dept. He asked me if Santa would deliver the Christmas gifts that Mike had left there to the Chiapperini children. Of course I would.

Arrangements were made, and Santa was to arrive at the Chiapperini home via fire truck. Numerous fire trucks and police vehicles with lights and sirens escorted Santa to the Chiapperini home, and firefighters and police officers accompanied Santa to the front door. A very somber Kim met us at the door. The Chiapperini children, not quite understanding what was happening, took the gifts and eagerly opened them. The excitement and joy of a family Christmas for them was definitely not there. We spent a few minutes talking with Kim, tears and hugs were everywhere. These brave men and women, Webster’s best, who protect us every day, were deeply moved being at the Chiapperini home. It was a somber ride back to the station.

The kindness of strangers

There was a young man with a very caring wife and two or three young children. He had been suffering from ALS for a long time and was in his last days. The hospital let him go home to spend his last Christmas with his family. The family had exhausted most of their finances and all of their holiday spirit.

One of my young female colleagues at work had a friend who knew the family. The friend organized an amazing group of young women volunteers who provided an entire Christmas for this family.

On a cold, damp day in mid-December, a dozen cars lined the driveway and road in this Rochester suburb. The women gathered on the young man’s front lawn. They’d brought everything they needed to provide the family with a memorable Christmas, including two Christmas trees. They set up one in the front yard, trimmed with colored lights, which the young man could see from his hospital bed in their living room. They brought the second tree into the house, which the ladies also decorated. Another group of women arrived bearing a full Christmas dinner plus enough groceries to feed the family through the coming days.

They had kept me hidden in my car down the road until I was to make my entrance. When my call came, I walked towards the house accompanied by a few of the ladies carrying arms filled with wrapped gifts for the children. Their mom had not had time to shop for any Christmas presents.

Santa made his grand entrance, jolly, singing, cheerfully wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, but in reality his heart sank into his boots. The young man had the biggest smile on his face. The kids were excited to see Santa; now they had a real Christmas tree and all the presents. Mom just cried. The family was happy, if only for a few minutes. The young man couldn’t communicate well, but we could see what this meant to him. You just knew everyone’s heart was breaking knowing what lay ahead.

That day a few unidentified young women answered a call. There were no TV cameras, no 6 o’clock news interviews, just these beautiful ladies. These young women brought gifts of love and compassion — they were the real gifts givers of Mira. We all left feeling that we had brought something more than a tree and a few material gifts to this family who were facing such a dark future.

That’s when you get into your car and just sit there for a few minutes. Think about what just happened and shed tears for them.

I’m not sure if he made it to Christmas.

His last Christmas

I received a phone call one sunny fall afternoon from a young mother. She told me about her young son, I think he was about 5 or 6. She told me that he had a terminal disease and would not make it to Christmas. She told me how much he loved Christmas, and they had decorated his room and set up a small Christmas tree there.

She asked me if Santa could make a special visit to see her son. Of course he could.

Santa arrived at the house, where extended family members let me in. They told me that the young boy’s time was near and led me to his room. I recall the room was very dim except for the lights on a small Christmas tree. His mom took me over next to the boy’s bed and told him that Santa was there to see him.

I really didn’t see any reaction from him. I told him what a good boy he’d been. I recall holding his hand and telling him about the North Pole, Mrs. Claus and maybe the reindeer. Mom, Dad maybe a few others were in the room and we all sang Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer. We joined hands and said a prayer for him. Santa wished him a Merry Christmas, told him I needed to get back to the reindeer and left the room. I had a short conversation with the family; they assured me that the young boy knew that Santa was there.

There have been more special Santa visits similar to the above ones. It’s really sad when everyone around you is celebrating one of the most joyous days of the year and others may be living some of their darkest days. Santa needs to keep his emotions in control and always portray the Jolly Old Elf, but when he returns to his sleigh and reflects on these special visits, a few tears could possibly fall.

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(posted 12/21/2024)

Tags: Missy Rosenberry, Webster NY