Holston Home for Children

Christmas with the kids:
My 3 favorite memories

by Homer F. Marcum

Darren was so proud that he could hardly contain his excitement. A severely mentally handicapped young man, Darren was 19 years old at the time. He was living at Holston Home for Children, where he received constant care and attention.

His counselors saw steady progress. During the years he lived here, Darren learned to be more social. He had not been subjected to the verbal harassment that had apparently haunted him when he mumbled to me one day, "I'm not a monster." Of course, he wasn't a monster, I assured him. Darren's demons kept nagging him, and he needed reassurance that he was all right.

It was Christmas 2003 when Darren experienced the breakthrough that caused him so much excitement. On a bicycle provided by an anonymous donor, Darren finally managed to keep his balance, riding without training wheels for the first time. He squealed with delight. Certainly Darren was happy that he could now ride a bike - like other children do. But his counselors and teachers were equally excited that he had made this giant leap toward independence. Everyone rejoiced, and to this day, Darren is fondly remembered for his first solo bicycle ride, a gift of Christmas.

The following Christmas at Holston Home, I was asked to stand in for Santa while the "real" Mr. Claus attended to more pressing matters. It was Christmas 2004, and I donned an oversize red suit, stuffed a pillow down the front, and went to work. My job was to listen to the wishes of foster children attending the annual Christmas celebration in Holston Home cafeteria.

"And what do you want for Christmas, little girl?" I asked a cute child of about eight. She had been standing back, seemingly afraid to approach Santa. As I would learn, she wasn't afraid of Santa. She was afraid that he might not be able to grant her wish.

"Santa, could you give me a family of my very own?" she asked.

Unsure of an appropriate response, I whispered in return, "Do you have a foster family?"

"Yes," she said. "I love my foster family very much. I want them to be my very own family forever. I want to live in their house forever, Santa."

If Santa could have granted her wish, he certainly would have. Instead, Christ granted it. That family adopted her, after Santa relayed her wish to staff, who, in turn, told her foster parents.

It was December 2005 when another little girl made my Christmas. On this night, Santa was making his way from Holston Home through the neighboring Wesley community, past government-subsidized housing, where several children waited and hoped for toys. A little girl - accompanied by her mother, brother, and several other children - had waited for a half-hour in the cold rain for Santa to arrive. Santa was late!

The little girl asked to use my cell phone, so she could call to ask Santa when he would arrive. When I said I would call one of Santa's elves, I dialed Charles Hutchins, who I knew was accompanying Santa.

Charles said for me to hand her the phone.

"It's one of Santa's elves. He wants to talk with you," I said.

Her eyes got big and bright. She smiled and said in a loud and squeaky voice, "Is that an honest-to-God elf? Honest-to-God?"

"Yes," I said, as she took the phone.

She didn't say a word. Apparently, the "elf" did all the talking, assuring her that Santa would soon be there. When Santa finally did arrive, he brought her and every other child a stuffed animal and other gifts.

I don't know what these three children will remember of their encounters, but I know I'll never forget them, especially at Christmas.

Christmas at Holston Home is a magical time. To see children light up among the gifts and activities provided by volunteers and anonymous donors is, indeed, a gift that only Christ can arrange.

Merry Christmas from the children at Holston United Methodist Home for Children.

Homer Marcum is director of communications at Holston Home for Children, located in Greeneville, Tenn.

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