The heartbreaking story of Eric Schmitt-Matzen, a 60-year-old Santa Claus who visits hospitalized children, is making rounds on social media. Eric had a profoundly emotional experience as he watched a 5-year-old boy, terminally ill, pass away in his arms.

A nurse urgently called Eric to meet the young boy, whose greatest wish was to meet Santa. Rushing to the hospital, Eric, as Santa, tried to bring joy to the child. He recalled, “The little guy was very weak, he looked like he was ready to sleep forever, he saw me and smiled.”
Despite the child’s fragile state, Eric handed him a gift, a PAW Patrol toy, bringing a smile to the boy’s face. In their exchange, the boy asked, “If they tell me I’m about to die, how will I know where I’m going?” Santa replied, “When you get there, you tell them you’re Santa’s number one elf and you’re going in right now.”

Tragically, the child passed away in Eric’s embrace, leaving a lasting impact. The mother’s heartbreaking cries outside the room added to the emotional weight. Eric, deeply affected, questioned whether he could ever play Santa Claus again after this poignant encounter.