In Wisconsin there’s a Shopping Mall
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Where Santa comes each year.
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The boys and girls all love him
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And hold him very dear.
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Some years ago, a little boy
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Was taken by his Gran
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To visit Santa at the Mall ~
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Our story there began.
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With him he had a photograph
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Which Santa asked about.
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“Is she your sister, or your friend?”
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Not wanting then to shout …
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The lad said softly ~ “Yes, she is
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My sister – she’s in bed
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And more than anything she wants
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To come here but Mom said …
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That she’s too weak and so I brought
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This photo just for you.
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Her name is Sarah and she’s sick
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Or else she’d be here too.”
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Poor Santa found it very hard
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To hide his tearful eyes
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And tried to cheer the little boy
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Then gave him a surprise …
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He sent him to the Elves who had
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A gift for each young child.
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Santa noticed Granny then ~
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He looked at her and smiled …
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And more than that, He went across
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To ask her what was wrong.
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She told him that the little girl ~
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Her Grandchild, had not long …
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For she had been so very ill,
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Leukemia was the cause.
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They did not think she’d many days,
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Then Granny took a pause.
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“Santa, is there any way
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That you could visit her?
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Young Sarah’s asked for nothing else,
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Her words this morning were …
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That all she wants for Christmas is
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To see you just once more.”
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Then Santa knew this was a plea
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He could no way ignore.
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He asked this loving Grandmother
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To tell his Elves the place
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Where he could visit Sarah for
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He’d love to see her face.
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Throughout the day, his thoughts were filled
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With nothing but this child ~
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In Hospital – so soon to die …
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He then a plan compiled.
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He got his friend to drive him to
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The Hospital and there
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He found her room and peeped inside ~
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With her were those who care.
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He saw the Granny and the boy
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Whom he had met before
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And Sarah’s mother too was there
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As he walked through the door.
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“Ho – Ho – Ho” he loudly called
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And Sarah, with delight
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Said … “Santa” … and she tried to leave
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Her bed as well she might.
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But Santa got there first and gave
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The little nine-year-old
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A hug that she would not forget,
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A memory to hold.
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She looked at him with wonderment
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Reflected in her eyes ~
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Those big blue eyes that melted him,
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This he could not disguise.
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These two new friends had much to say
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And Sarah’s family
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Whispered “Thank you” – clasped his hand
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And touched him gratefully …
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Whilst Sarah then at last expressed
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A wish for lovely toys
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Assuring Santa she’d been good
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To other girls and boys.
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‘Twas surely God Who gave the words
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To Santa when he said
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That he would like to say a Prayer ~
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The family then were led …
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All holding hands, they heard him say –
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“Sarah, tell me true,
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Do you believe in Angels?” – “Oh …
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Yes Santa – that I do.”
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“Well, I am going to pray and ask
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That Angels care for you.”
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He closed his eyes and prayed to God
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To bring this dear child through.
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To heal her little body from
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This terrible disease
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And asked the Angels to watch o’er
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This precious child – oh please !
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Then rather quietly Santa sang
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That lovely, lovely Hymn …
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“Silent Night – Holy Night” ~
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By then, the light was dim.
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“And now, young Sarah,” Santa said
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“You have a job to do
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And that is to get well because
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I want to hear from you ….
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Of how, in summer, you’ve enjoyed
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Playing with your friends
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And with your brother and your toys
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So when the next year ends …
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I’ll see you at the Mayfair Mall” ~
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This risk he had to take,
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He knew he had to give her hope,
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A difference it could make.
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Then Santa kissed young Sarah and
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He gave her a big hug.
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He left the room and then his tears
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Could well have filled a jug.
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The family came to thank him and
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To all of them he told
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That he had just one child who was
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Like Sarah – nine years old.
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A year went by and once again,
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For six weeks, Santa’s joy
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Was sharing Christmas with the kids ~
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And giving each a toy.
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One day, a child came up and said …
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“Hi – Santa … Hi – it’s me.
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Remember when in hospital
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You told me I should be …
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Here this Christmas and to tell
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What I have done this year.”
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Santa held her to his heart …
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“Sarah – oh, my dear!”
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He hardly recognised the child,
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She’d lovely silky hair
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And rosy cheeks – the cancer gone,
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He offered up a prayer …
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Thanking God for this great grace,
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A Miracle he’d seen.
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This was the best of Christmases
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That there had ever been !
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