During the holidays, a mixture of joy, celebration, and anticipation fills the air. However, for families with loved ones serving in the military, this time can also be marked by longing and the absence of those stationed far away. Kim, a math teacher at Prairie Heights High School, understands that feeling intimately, as does her son, Army Spc. Ethan Harris is currently serving in Afghanistan.
Kim’s request seemed to be sweetly granted during the school holiday lottery. The lottery winner could ask Santa for anything they wanted for Christmas. The winner turned out to be Kim, as declared by Superintendent Alan Middleton.
Before Kim could collect her prize on stage, Santa Claus himself unexpectedly appeared. A sense of magic was added to the occasion when Middleton announced the arrival of Santa Claus with jingling bells and festive cheer in the air.
Caught in the moment, Kim expressed her heartfelt desire to Santa. She made the wish “Peace on earth, goodwill to men”, evoking images of classic Christmas carols, instead of material possessions.
When Santa asked Kim what was the nicest gift she received that year, she revealed that her son’s safe return from Afghanistan and arrival in the United States was her greatest blessing.
Kim insisted that her child was returned, even though it was stationed at Fort Campbell, Tennessee.
Kim was overcome with emotion as the surprise became clear. The rather bland Santa turns out to be Kim’s son, Army Spc. Ethan Harris, who returned a few days ago and planned a touching surprise.
Ethan had been hiding in his sister’s house for days, waiting for the right opportunity to come out. He decided to wear a Santa costume to the school breakfast to make his return even more memorable than going straight home.
John Harris, Kim’s husband, thanked everyone who helped pull off the surprise and admitted it took a few white lies to keep it a secret. But after Ethan’s gentle surprise, the lies were a small price to pay for the Harris family’s happy Christmas reunion.
This unplanned gathering perfectly captures the essence of Christmas in the time of miracles: the warmth and joy of spending time with loved ones at the most beautiful time of the year.
In this heartwarming holiday story, Kim, a math teacher at Prairie Heights Middle School, finds herself the unexpected winner of the school’s holiday lottery. Little did she know that this stroke of luck would lead to a truly magical moment. When Superintendent Alan Middleton announced the results of the lottery, Santa Claus himself made a surprise appearance and added a special touch to the event.
Kim expressed her wish for the holiday, opting for a deep desire: “Peace on earth, goodwill to men.” This departure from material demands reflected the spirit of classic Christmas carols. When asked by Santa about the nicest gift she received that year, Kim emotionally revealed that her son, Army Spc. Ethan Harris returning safely from Afghanistan was her greatest blessing.
A heartwarming surprise unfolds when Santa reveals his true identity – none other than Kim’s son Ethan Harris, who organized the heartwarming reunion. Ethan had been hiding for days, waiting for the perfect moment to reveal himself. Instead of heading straight home, he donned a Santa costume during the school holiday breakfast, making his return even more memorable.
Kim’s husband, John Harris, expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in pulling off the surprise and admitted it took a few white lies to keep it under wraps. Still, the joyous reunion of the Harris family, now spending Christmas together, made any files a small price to pay for the magic of the season.
This unplanned and emotional gathering beautifully sums up the true essence of Christmas – a time of wonder, warmth, and joyful reunion of loved ones during the most beautiful time of the year.