I’ve long wondered how much fun it is for folks to dress up as Santa over the holidays.

The pressure to match the expectations of every child you see would crush me, so it can’t be an easy job, but there must be a tremendous sense of satisfaction at the end of the day.

When they witness a good Santa, all children, no matter how dismal their perspective, may smile, and the idea that they are producing enchantment in a world in desperate need of it must be like a comforting balm for the soul.

Few Santas, however, have ever experienced the horrific, dangerous circumstance that befell Eric Schmitt-Matzen, the co-owner of Packaging Seals & Engineering and mechanical engineer who plays Father Christmas at events and performances throughout the year.

According to reports, Eric had just come home from work one day in 2016 when he received an urgent call from a hospital in Tennessee.

Eric told the reporters that a nurse had phoned him on behalf of a five-year-old hospital child who was very ill and whose dying wish was to meet Santa.

Following his hasty arrival at the hospital, Eric met the boy’s mother, who presented him with a Paw Patrol figurine her son had expressly requested for Christmas. Eric received the present and requested them to wait outside while he met the child to avoid sobbing in front of the youngster if the boy’s relatives were furious.

According to Eric, he then walked into the critical care unit, sat at the boy’s bedside, and said, “I hear you’re not going to be around for Christmas this year.”

When the youngster got his gift, he screamed, “They say I’m going to die.” “How will I be able to tell when I get to my destination?”

After that, the youngster was allegedly asked to do a favor for Eric.

He went on to say, “You just tell them you’re Santa’s Number One elf when you get up to them Pearly Gates, and I know they’ll let you in.”

The tiny youngster sprang out of bed and hugged Eric tightly. Eric later informed reporters that the five-year-old died in his arms.

The man went on to say, “I felt him pass while he was in my arms.”

“I saw a lot of (stuff) during my four years with the 75th Rangers in the Army.” “But I ran by the nurses’ station, crying uncontrollably.”

According to sources, following his ordeal, Eric questioned if he still wanted to be Santa. Pushing himself to an event the next day reminded him of the love, joy, and pleasure he sees in the children he meets, which encouraged him to take the position in the first place.

Eric’s account of events was called into doubt in December 2016, only days after his tale went viral. The Knoxville News Sentinel’s editor’s note at the top of the piece indicated that the newspaper could not “independently verify” Eric’s assertion.

In response, Eric voiced his disappointment at the concerns about the truth of his statement.

He told TIME, “I feel like I’ve been used and then hung out to dry.”

“I made it clear right away that I meant to honor my word and not reveal any information that would reveal the folks’ identities.”

“It seems like I’m being accused of lying now,” he said. In an attempt to do good, I attempted to relay the narrative of what had occurred to me. Now the media mocks me for holding my position.

This tale may have moved me to tears. Please leave a remark if Eric’s gesture moved you.