Here is what the children ask father Christmas

Catherine Montambeault

Wednesday, December 20, 2017 01:00

UPDATE
Wednesday, December 20, 2017 01:00

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A boy’s wish for the return of his mother’s cancer hospital. A teen wants to put an end to bullying. Here are six santas to shopping centres that have heard it all, including ” Where are your reindeer ? “.

Normand Lalonde

71-year-old, Police officer retired

Centre Valleyfield, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield

Photo Catherine Montambeault

The application of the most touching he had received from a child : ” there are about four years old, a little boy asked me to bring back his mother from the hospital for Christmas. She was suffering from cancer, ” he recalls. Since then, Mr. Lalonde makes in this family each year, on the eve of Christmas to distribute gifts to the children, whose mother is here today in full health.

Its time to the more prominent, such as father Christmas : “This year, I fulfilled a dream by being the santa Claus parade in Montreal,” says Mr. Lalonde. In the end, I went to see the sick children who attended the parade with Emergency health. It was magic to see them happy like that. “

The question that’s asked most often : Where are your reindeer ? “I tell them that I landed at Dorval, and my reindeer have to stay there while I go and see the children,” he explains.

Gifts the most demanded this year : toys Pat Patrol for the boys and the snow Queen for the girls. “Yes, the snow Queen is still as popular !” says he, laughing in his long white beard.

He loves Christmas so much that… : his son is named Rudolf !

Michel Blais

61-year-old Plasterer retired

Galeries d’anjou, Montreal

Photo Catherine Montambeault

The application of the most touching he had received from a child : ” A teenager of 13 years who was accompanying his little brother asked me to make the bullying stop “, he says. The next day, disturbed by this confidence, Mr. Blais has contacted the parents of the boy with the help of the agency that is hiring. “I didn’t want to break her confidence, but I felt that I had to do something. Later, her parents have reminded me to tell me that I had helped much. “

Its time to the more prominent, such as father Christmas : “last week, a disabled boy of about 6 or 7 years of age came with his parents,” he says. He was in a wheelchair and never had a market of his life. Well, when he saw me, he managed to take a few steps to get up into my arms. Everyone was crying. “

The question that’s asked most often : Where are your elves ? “I explain to them that they remained at the North pole to manufacture and pack the gifts to all the children of the world. It is a lot of work ! ” exclaimed he.

Which surprises every year : The number of elderly people who come to see him. “Sometimes, seniors feel lonely and need someone to talk to : I’m here for that too,” he said. A lady of 79 years of age came to see me last year because she had just lost her husband. She confided to me crying. I think it has done much good. “

It so looks like the father Christmas that… : his own grandchildren to come and see father Christmas at the shopping center and do not recognize their great-grandfather !

Bernard Desjardins

67-year-old, Involved youth retired

Complexe Desjardins, Montreal

Photo courtesy

Its time to the more prominent, such as father Christmas : ” ten years ago, I went to visit the sick children at Sainte-Justine, remembers Mr. Desjardins. There was a boy of about 8 years who was suffering from cancer and who was in isolation. I had permission to go see it anyway, because his last wish was to see father Christmas. He died the next day. “

The question that’s asked most often : are you the real father Christmas ? “I pull on my beard to show that it is true, I lift up my hat to show them my white hair and I make them a big hug,” he said. After that, they no longer have any doubt ! “

The declaration is the most funny of a child : ” A little girl of about 2 or 3 years did not stop me to tell me that she wanted to toilet paper for Christmas. His parents and I have come to understand that she wanted to, in fact, a white cat, as in the advertisements of toilet paper ! “

What surprised him the most every year : The number of small who seek something other than material gifts. “You’d be amazed how many children want to just spend time with their family for Christmas, he reports. There are also a lot of immigrant children who ask me for peace in their countries of origin. “

Jocelyn Duchêne

62 years old, Beekeeper

Center Rivers, Three Rivers

Photo courtesy

Its time to the more prominent, such as father Christmas : ” A little girl of 6 years old was holding a ball in his hand, ” he said Duchêne. When I asked him what it was, she told me that it was a good luck charm. She told me then gave me up, saying that she did not need it and that I could do to help other kids. “

The question that’s asked most often : Where are your reindeer ? “I tell them that they are waiting for me on the roof of the shopping centre, and there is always a child for me to answer : “Ah yes, I’ve seen them !” “, rigole-t-il.

Gifts the most demanded this year : Lego blocks and toys from Pat Patrol, as much in boys than in girls.

It responds when a child doubts the existence of father Christmas : ” I explain to them that the major no longer see the father Christmas because they have become too old, that it is only children who can see me “, he says.

Jean-Pierre Daigneau

65 years of age, Nursing auxiliary semi-retired

Promenades St-Bruno, Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville

Photo courtesy

Its time to the more prominent, such as father Christmas : ” I met a grandma in a wheelchair who was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and could no longer speak, remembers Mr. Daigneau. When I placed myself at its height, I saw two tears streaming down her cheeks. It is in these moments that we realize all the magic that accompanies father Christmas, and not just for children. “

The declaration is the most funny out of the mouth of a child : ” A boy once told me : “Father Christmas, my mom and dad don’t know, but I know that you do not exist for real”, he notes in a bright laugh.

Gifts the most demanded this year : ” The girls are always so fascinated by the dolls, ” he says. Among boys, younger children want toys to Pat Patrol and the oldest, of Star Wars. “

What it takes to be a good father Christmas : great listening, the distributed and discretion out of the ordinary. “Even if some of the confidences we saw the heart in reverse, it is necessary to find a way to bring out the magic of Christmas,” says-t it.

Bernard Gareau

59 years old, a financial Analyst, semi-retired

Centre Rockland, Mont-Royal

Photo Catherine Montambeault

The declaration is the most funny out of the mouth of a child : ” When I asked a boy to choose one gift from among his long list, he told me that I only had to take a big box and put all the toys he wanted in it, so that makes it a single gift, said Mr. Gareau. I found it to be very bright ! “

The question that’s asked most often : Have you received my gift list ? “I said,” yes, of course. And then, I try to guess what was written on it. “

Gifts the most demanded this year : ” The children are becoming more technological, he says. Many want the iPod, and this year, we wonder the same drones ! “

What it takes to be a good father Christmas : a Lot of patience and a big heart.