After a few anxious moments, the doorbell rang. As we opened the door, the sound of Santa's "ho ho ho" permeated the air around us. In the house walked a 5-foot elderly Santa Claus. Mrs. Dombrowski had planned this out well. She would excuse herself for a moment, put on a Santa costume that was made for someone a foot taller, sneak out the back door and ring the bell. There she stood in the doorway with a pillowcase over her shoulder. She sat us down and pulled open her sack.

Santa handed each of us a paper sack with a few small wrapped gifts. A black comb, a can of creamed corn, a bar of soap. I was not prepared for what I saw next. As I peered up to see her standing above us, I saw tears streaming down Santa's cheeks. Only at that time did I begin to realize the sacrifice that she must have made to make us happy.

As we finished opening those small but meaningful gifts, we asked if we might stay and sing a few more Christmas carols with her. We never did make it over to the other home that Christmas Eve. I remember quickly going to bed, only to place my face deep in my pillow to weep.

My tears were not tears of homesickness. These were tears of gratitude, realizing the sacrifice and love that accompanied these meager gifts that we had just received. I had been so selfish. Each passing year brings with it greater feelings of thanks and gratitude for this beautiful expression of love and sacrifice.

I have often reflected on this experience, only to recall the story of another night like this more than 2,000 years ago in a manger far away, in even more meager surroundings.

I will never forget Mrs. Dombrowski. She has long since passed away and was most likely never aware of the lessons of life she passed on to a naive 19-year-old that cold Christmas Eve in Michigan.

About the author

Mark T. Anderson of Bluffdale was born and reared in Sandy. He graduated from Jordan High School and later from Brigham Young University, where he studied economics. He and his wife, Annette, have been married for 24 years and have four children. Mark enjoys spending time with family, reading, gardening and growing flowers in his greenhouse. He is a compliance manager for Allstate Insurance.