Santa And The Firetruck

This past December I asked Tom to play Santa for me. He said.."Screw the doctors, I'm gonna have fun!"

So he agreed to play Santa at La Merced Elementary. Earlier in our relationship, Tom had mentioned to me that he'd always wanted to ride on a firetruck. Unbeknownst to both of us, I found out that Santa arrives at the school on a firetruck! I found out the day before but did not tell Tom. Then, the firetruck was cancelled because of the threat of rain!!!

I pleaded with the PTA to get that damn firetruck ready for Santa. Luckily, the PTA was able to get it and the following day, Tom arrived early to dress as Santa. The costume hung on him loosely and he was laughing so heartily about it. Then the bell rang and I told Tom at this school, Santa goes out to greet the kids. He started walking out the cafeteria door. I stopped him and redirected him to the opposite door. He went outside and his eyes lit up like I'm sure they did when he was just "little Tommy." He climbed on board. Kept yelling "Turn on the lights. Turn on the siren!" and rode in to a raucous welcome of kids!! In a downpour!

He greeted each and every one and then came back to the cafeteria sopping wet!! As we were wringing out his wig, he said..."Oh, that was great! I always wanted to be on a firetruck. The kids were great." Tom then proceeded to sit in the sled for the next 2 hours individually greeting each child while singing loudly to all of the Christmas songs playing, especially Chuck Berry's "Run, Rudolph, Run."

Just pure Tommy. He loved kids. Obviously, they loved him, too!
Merry Christmas, Tom!

-- Randy Lopez