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Ed Butchart has been a real-life Santa Claus for 16 years at a Georgia shopping mall and also provides medical equipment to disabled people in need around the world. He shares one of his heart-warming stories from his book, The Red Suit Diaries (Revell), about listening to children and parents share their wishes for Christmas.

At Gwinnett Place Mall, the Santa set was located on the lower level with a large opening in the upper level just above the set. People would gather along the railing up there and watch the proceedings down below. When I got a chance I would look up and wave to the crowd.

One day I spotted two women leaning against the railing. There was a child in a wheelchair between them. I waved, and the women waved back.

Then in a while I looked up again, and they were still there. I waved again and gestured for them to come down. The women looked at each other and spoke but didn't move.

After a few more kids I looked up again, and still they stood glued to the rail. This time I waved and gestured more energetically. They waved back.

I became determined to get that child onto my lap. When I got my next free moment, I raised myself off my throne, dragging my microphone wires with me, pointed to them, and yelled at the top of my considerable voice, "Go down the elevator and up the exit!"

They detached themselves from the railing and headed for the elevator, which was to my left down the exit walkway. I went on with some other kids until I saw the wheelchair close up on my left. The child was a little girl of about four, beautiful with long blonde hair and a smile that nearly split her face in two. It was clear that she was quite impaired with multiple disabilities.

"Who is this, Mom?" I asked, never taking my eyes off her child.

Mom answered, "This is Lindsey Ann Brown, Santa. She is four years old, and she loves Santa Claus."

I reached for the straps securing Lindsey's feet to the footrests and said. "Can I put Lindsey on my lap, Mom?"

"Sure you can, but you don't have to."

"Yes, I do," I responded. "You see Santa loves Lindsey, too." I gently loosened the butterfly brace on her chest and carefully lifted her onto my lap. I cradled her head with one hand and told our photographer to take a full (free) package of pictures for them. Then I laid her fragile little body across my lap and said, "Tell me about Lindsey, Mom."

Mom described all the problems Lindsey had, and I asked what her prognosis was. Mom answered, 'We don't really know. The doctors didn't think she would live this long. We've just decided that Lindsey is a gift from God, and we're just going to love her as long as we have her."

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