On a Thursday in September, a little girl and her tutor dropped by LaDeDa. The two were on a home-school outing, hoping to spend time at the library, but since the library was closed, they found their way here. They quickly settled in and from time to time words like "denominator" and "Mediterranean" drifted my way. They covered a lot of territory in a few, short hours,
When the books finally closed, I took some time to visit with them. Yes, the the 10 year old liked being home schooled except that she often missed her friends. On the bright side, she said she got to see them when her little sister was being dropped off and picked up from school.
There was nothing remarkable about this girl. I say that not as a criticism, but as a comment to remind me that, under different circumstances, I would not have the quiet face and gentle voice emblazoned in my memory.
Her name is Santana, named in part after a relative called "Anna". "What about the first part of your name," I asked, "are you named for someone else special in your life?" Without hesitation she replied "Santa Claus."
True or not - does it matter? Her face lit up when she shared that innocent little comment.
The next day, September 9th, Santana's sister Kadenz and a friend named Eli were killed in a tragic traffic accident. Santana's immediate diagnosis was paralysis from the neck down - total recovery unpredictable but unlikely.
That single moment in my store on September 8th - that single moment with the then unremarkable Santana will forever connect me to the little girl named after Santa Claus.
Let's help by making a contribution to the McCollum/Gonzales family. gofundme.com/gonzalezfamilytragedy
Happy Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Every Day
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