In most cases, the whole family gets together to celebrate Christmas, and the air is filled with joy as individuals exchange gifts.

Unfortunately, a local Santa Claus chose to grant a boy’s last wish, and the story that followed was one of sorrow.

In December 2016, BBC News reported that Eric Schmitt-Matzen, president and owner of Packing Seals & Engineering in Jacksboro and a mechanical engineer,

would dress up as the beloved Christmas figure each year. He was shocked to get a call one day requesting Santa for a unique situation.

After hearing that a little kid, who was five years old and suffering from an undisclosed medical ailment, wished to meet him, he made an instant dash to a Tennessee hospital.

To avoid becoming ‘the happy guy’ and ruining the visit for the little kid, Schmitt-Matzen warned his relatives to remain outside the room if they planned to cry or show excessive emotion.

‘Verily, I beg you, leave this room immediately…’ He recalls assuring the family in a December 2016 interview with WCBD News 2 that he would ‘sit out there and cry with you’ afterwards.

He arrived just as the young man’s mother had ordered a ‘Paw Patro’ plush toy, which he presented to

the boy as a present. Due to his inability to handle the task alone, Schmitt-Matzen offered to assist him.

He informed the long-suffering child that he had spent some time ago making the present.

He remembered at the time that the small youngster was more worried about missing the Christmas celebrations

than he was about dying because, for the most part, children are quite innocent and do not really comprehend the notion of death.

Schmitt-Matzen, disguised as Santa Claus, told the youngster he was ‘Santa’s number one elf’when he

‘gets up those pearly gates’ in response to the boy’s question about where he would go after death. This was reported by NBC News.

The tiny child sat up, hugged him, and said, ‘Santa, can you help me?’ when they had finished their conversation. Sadly, the young child died in his grasp at that precise time.

He said, ‘I looked up, tears streaming down my face, and looked over at the window and that’s when (his) mom started screaming.’That’s when he felt the life drain from him.

He hurried out of the hospital as soon as possible after the encounter.

‘I seen my fair share of (things) during my four years in the Army with the 75th Rangers. However, I went by the nursing station sobbing uncontrollably,’ he remembered.

He was unable to let go of the sentimental event, and at one point he considered giving up on his Santa Claus costume. However, he later understood that he had to act in the children’s best interests.

‘Seeing all those kids laughing made me feel like I belonged again.’ It helped me recognize the part I must play. For both of us, he remarked.

Additionally, he said to BBC News, ‘I’ll do it if somebody calls.’ Though it aches, I’ll persevere.