No child ever asks what Santa would like for Christmas.
I was pondering that point while shuffling in a long line waiting to see St. Nick. A little girl sprang onto his lap.
“I want a Barbie doll,” she announced.
“I want a Barbie!” her sister said.
“You want a Barbie, too,” the bearded man nodded.
“And some doll clothes,” the little girl poked his red coat.
“I want some doll clothes, too,” her sister said.
“Oh, boy,” sighed the Jolly Old Elf. “We definitely have an echo in here.”
This one, just needs a hug. He is more than a storefront Santa. The twinkle in his eye is love, not sales. His workshop is filled with the glitter of little kids’ dreams. But, he’s not making toys. Santa and his elves are making electric wheelchairs. The first, he built for a baby in Vietnam. She had lost both of her legs to a land mine. Santa wore a different uniform then. He was Marine major Ed Butcher. There have been 11-hundred wheelchairs since.
Well Sir, one of your NPPA workshops helped me with the story we have in common. I met Ed Butchart in 1998. Not sure this was before or after you met him. My version is the ol’ 4×3.
You taught me to build in ‘surprises,’ so I kept Ed’s face off screen for a bit.
I was fortunate to work with Reporter Trevor Pettiford. I asked him for a ‘loose’ script. Told him I’d fill in the blanks. He obliged.
I’ve covered wars, hurricanes, general and breaking news. But I believe this was my favorite story of all time.
I still live just a few miles from Ed’s shop (FODAC). He even gave my wife a wheelchair at one point.
And there’s a story about the little girl you’ll see in mine if you get a chance to watch. It happened a few years after this story. She brought tears to my eyes.
Love your work, Sir.
https://youtu.be/3MV8luvgknQ?si=GrqrswFjYZgStQSb
Michael,
What a wonderful story! You never know who you inspire along the way. Keep the storytelling flame burning for the next generation…