JTSSLED

This story begins the day after JT’s visit with Santa. You see JT is an eight year old young man who loves Santa
Claus, in fact last Christmas all JT wanted was a “Santa Suit” which his mom made sure he got, with a furry hat
and a big red coat. JT loves to play Santa taking things from around the house and bringing them to guests as
his way of gift giving.

When JT saw Santa this year he already knew what he wanted, but to his mothers surprise it was not something
that she could order on line, or go to the toy store to purchase because JT whispered to Santa that he would like
Santa to leave him Santa’s Sleigh.

Christmas time is a time of miracles but to actually get a Santa Sleigh built for an 8 year old was much to much to
ask for. JT’s mom and dad went on the hunt store after store and magazine after magazine, but no sleigh was
sturdy enough for an 8 year old autistic child to play in. If you know about autism that you know once a child
gets the idea about something, that is all they talk about and think about. No one wanted little JT to be
disappointed but we have no master carpenters in the family and we had no one to find this item. With less than
3 weeks till Christmas, JT’s mother asked grandma (better know as Memom) to see if she could help. Memom
went to every hardware store in her town and in the town next door, lots of people tried to come up with ideas but
no one was able to find a catalogue or locate a sled. We found a few for the lawn, decorations and thought we
had what we needed, but at a close look they would not hold up for play.

Memom went into a flower shop in the next town, this is a very exclusive shop that makes custom flower
arrangements, and just maybe they could find a sleigh. Three young ladies talked to Memom and they too tried
but still no sleigh. Soon a lady named Vicky came and asked if she could help. She was told of young JT and
his desire to have Santa’s sled. In a flash she drew a perfect sleigh and said , there see that is what you need,
with a sad look Memom said you are right, but we have no way to get one. Vicky asked for a little time to talk to
her husband and see if he could help with the project.

Happily she phoned her daughter and said I got the sleigh (I think), her daughter was thrilled and asked what will
it look like, Memom wasn’t sure, so her daughter asked what will it cost?, Memom wasn’t sure, the last question
when will it be ready?, Memom wasn’t sure. With so many unknowns JT’s mom wasn’t sure if Christmas would
really satisfy her little child. Memom and Vicky phoned back and forth and Memom had the confidence that the
sleigh would be perfect, but others who didn’t meet Vicky were doubtful and unsure if this unknown lady would
really help and what price would we have to pay considering that Memom went into a very exclusive shop to ask
for a custom sleigh to be made.

On the Sunday before Christmas Vicky called Memom, the sleigh is ready and I would like to put his name on it,
and so with the artistic hands and love of one of Santa’s helpers Vicky and her husband put together Santa’s
Sleigh.

Mommy and daddy along with grandpop picked up the sleigh and Memom (jumping out of her skin waited at
home with JT and his little sister). What would her daughter say when she phoned that the sleigh was picked
up,, was this truly the Christmas miracle that we all wait all our lives for? Twenty minutes passed, Thirty minutes
passed, and then the phone rang, and with tears in her voice Memom heard you did great, it is beautiful and we
did get a Christmas Miracle. Vicky and her husband would not accept money for their gift of love, they only
wanted to help JT to have his Christmas dreams come true.. Vicky and her husband taught everyone what
Christmas is all about; it is sharing the love in your heart. Thinking of others when you are so busy and really
have no time for one more project.

On Christmas morning when JT wakes, I am sure the first thing he will put on will be his Santa Suit, and then out
on the porch with cotton snow all around, his mom and dad will say look son! Santa came, and he did what he
said he would do, he left his sleigh, and now it is yours. Look JT it says Santa’s Sleigh “JT”. Thank you for
listening to my story and please join us in prayer that JT doesn’t ask next year for Santa’s reindeers.