As a child, there’s nothing more magical about Christmas than Santa Claus. That’s why the man in red visits stores and malls across the country each holiday season – allowing kids to sit on his lap and share their present wish lists.
Like other parents, Misty Wolf from Texas also decided to take her kids to meet Santa at a popular establishment. But what she didn’t expect is that it’d become a heartwarming experience that’d go viral.
Wolf is the mom of two beautiful children, six-year-old Matthew and 20-month-old Lilly. One day, she planned a trip to the Cabela’s in Fort Worth where Santa Claus was “visiting.”
Matthew is blind and lives with autism, which makes it difficult for him to interact with new people. However, he also had a fascination with old St. Nick and loved “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
Just in case either of her children had a “meltdown” – Wolf took them earlier in the day to avoid larger crowds.
Wolf’s plan to avoid long lines worked. They were able to go right up to Santa’s North Pole station without having to wait.
But before Santa met Matthew – Wolf thought it’d be a good idea to fill him in on her son’s background. What he did in response had her calling him the “Best Santa ever!”
In a Facebook post, Wolf explained:
“I whispered to Santa “he is blind and autistic and is very interested in Santa”. He said “say no more” and immediately got down on the floor to greet my little man.”
The kindhearted and gentle Santa knew exactly what to do.
Wolf continued:
“He talked to Matthew for a long time. Let him feel all over him. Told him to pull his beard, feel his hat and talked about his red suit. He asked Matthew if he wanted to feel anything and Matthew said “your eyes that twinkle” (from the poem ‘twas the night before Christmas) so santa let him touch all over his eyes for as long as Matthew wanted.”
Wolf shared with CNN that Matthew trusted Santa from the very beginning.
Despite the fact that a line was building up, Santa Claus did everything he could to make Matthew’s experience comfortable and unforgettable.
The mom wrote:
“Then Santa said have you ever felt a real reindeer. Santa then carried him over to the display area. And had Matthew pet the taxidermy reindeer they had set up. It was great. My heart was full seeing Matthew so interested.”
Matthew, who didn’t normally like to pose for photos – even sat so theirs could be taken.
Wolf told CNN:
“I was just waiting for the meltdown at that point and as soon as he said yes, my jaw just dropped. His sister gave the Grinch face, but this time around Matthew was actually looking at the camera and head up and everything. I need Santa in my life for family pictures.”
The entire experience moved Wolf so much that she had tears in her eyes. She also couldn’t resist sharing it with the rest of the world.
Since she posted their story in 2018, it’s been shared more than 100,000 times on Facebook.
When CBS DFW News spoke with the Santa Claus from Cabela’s, he explained:
“He has never seen the world the way that we see the world … You relate to the child and what the child needs.”
It’s a story that’s warming people’s hearts and souls over the holiday season. Press play below to hear Wolf speak with CBS DSW about her son’s special encounter!
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