An Early Gift From a Santa Named Tim!

Imagine encountering Santa Claus as you’re finishing up your morning walk and heading back to your hotel. He was coming out of Walgreens after getting whatever supplies Santa needs and heading to his car. A big smile came over my face as seeing Santa added to what was already starting out to be a terrific morning. I had walked almost 3 miles round trip to get my Starbucks coffee and I was feeling fantastic!!

Santa saw me and waved and of course I excitedly waved back!! And THEN he asked “How are you today Loretta?????” WHAT?????? Now I know he’s Santa but how does he know my name??? I was blown away (and a little freaked out) and almost starting to believe in Santa Claus again!! I was waiting for him to tell me if I’d been naughty or nice!!

Turns out I knew “Santa” from last night’s presentation for Artis Senior Living of Davie and he and I had quite an evening! Santa’s name is actually Timothy Hawkins and at last night’s event he actually made me cry, but in the best of ways!! Before my presentation started I was going around the room chatting with everyone as I always do. At one table at the front of the room were four women and one man! The man had captivated that table and the women listening to his stories were roaring with laughter! It reminded me so much of my Tim!! When I went over to see who this guy leading all the fun was I saw Timothy on his name tag!! I almost burst into tears because this Tim and my Tim could have been personality twins!! He was even about the same height!! I had to leave the room quickly and shed a couple of tears. I couldn’t believe how much his mannerisms were like my Tim!

When I returned to the room I gave him a big hug and told him I’d explain why I had done so in my presentation. During my presentation as I told the audience about my Tim and how much he helped me with Mom’s care prior to his death, I asked the Tim in the room to stand.

I thanked him for being who he was and for bringing me such joy because he reminded me so much of my Tim. It was the closest I’ve ever come to bursting out in tears during a presentation.

At first I was upset at the end of the night that I hadn’t gotten a picture with Tim, but then I realized it was ok because I’ll never forget him. So imagine my shock today when I ran into Tim again, this time as Santa Claus!! He gave me one of his professional photos and turns out he’s also a professional singer and magician!

I wasn’t going pass up a second opportunity to get a picture with him and so we did!! It was so fitting for him to be dressed as Santa because he gave me one of the best gifts ever – a live reminder of my gregarious Tim!!

It doesn’t matter at all if I don’t get any gifts on Christmas Day, because this early gift from the Santa named Tim was perfect! I already have all the “stuff” I need, but I’ll cherish this memory of my time in Plantation, Florida forever!

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