All good things must come to an end ‘because’ of something. I received a renewal notice from the website hosting company that provides me with this platform to tell my stories. I’ve been writing here for almost a decade but now find it challenging to write about happy things. And although there is a seemingly… Continue reading Because
Category: Santa Claus
Today, Santa Danny Cried
Today is Christmas Eve, and I went to the cancer center in Surrey, BC. I was treated there ten years ago and volunteered for almost five years. I had a suitcase on wheels that contained my Santa Claus outfit; Santa shouldn’t ever be driving around in a car, because kids who still believe in Santa,… Continue reading Today, Santa Danny Cried
Message from the North Pole
Yesterday, I got a long-distance call (collect) from Santa Claus, and he asked me to cover for him again this year. But Santa Danny is only allowed to receive two things: Love and Money. Love is the fuel that drives Santa Danny, and money is what he hopes to raise for the University of British… Continue reading Message from the North Pole
A Toothless Fairy
There is often a situation when I’ve thought seriously about giving up on a particular dream, but there has always been a counter argument for continuing the chase. I remember a saying I learned when I was little Danny – ‘I had no shoes and complained until I met a man who had no feet’.… Continue reading A Toothless Fairy
Do You Believe in Magic?
It wasn’t going to be an easy day for me to be Santa Claus because I was having a difficult time trying to smile. But it wasn’t because I’d be alone on Christmas Day. And it wasn’t because I was feeling sorry for myself – I always prefer to see the glass, as half-full –… Continue reading Do You Believe in Magic?
Notes from the North Pole
In 2009, I was diagnosed with stage 3 throat cancer and given only a 40% chance of surviving. Not knowing how much time I had left and the fact that I hadn’t celebrated Christmas for many years – I wanted to see if I could get that same holiday spirit that I used to get when I… Continue reading Notes from the North Pole
Gifts of Love
I never expected to receive a Christmas gift this year, but I did. I got two presents, and both came as a complete surprise. They were the first gifts that I’ve received at Christmas, in a very long time and at first, I hesitated about opening them. But I’ll get back to the gifts of… Continue reading Gifts of Love
Message from Santa Danny
Yesterday, Santa Danny went to the University of British Columbia in Vancouver to present a cheque towards oral cancer research at the university and BC Cancer Foundation. He also visited with the staff in the Faculty of Dentistry, which is where Danny gave his speech during their Research Day in January 2016. It was Dr.… Continue reading Message from Santa Danny
Not a creature was stirring…
Originally published on December 24, 2012 It was the morning of Christmas Eve, and once again, it didn’t feel like Christmas. It had been years since I last celebrated Christmas – but I remember it well. It was in 1983 at my parents’ place in Midland, Ontario. My family always got together to celebrate Christmas… Continue reading Not a creature was stirring…
The Day that Santa cried…
It’s early on Wednesday morning, and I am preparing Santa for his most painful official visit – to talk to the students of Nicomekl Elementary School in Langley. Visiting patients at the Cancer Centre isn’t very hard for Santa because he too, has had cancer and he knows what most of the patients are going through… Continue reading The Day that Santa cried…