Christmas Eve can be spent in many different ways. Some families have a big dinner, last minute shopping and some are still traveling. For one child, his mother would leave the house for hours with no explanation.

John Dorroh was a young boy and recalled the unusual behavior every holiday season. He never understood why she left. He didn’t push the subject but still felt very confused for years. He would ask his father where she went. Dad would reply assuming she needed more things for the holiday.

This didn’t make sense to John. He knew his mother was a planner who wouldn’t be buying Christmas presents so late.

Her routine was simply to announce she was leaving and had errands to run. After getting her car keys, she would be gone for about 3 hours.

Unfortunately, John’s mother passed away. Shortly after John got a letter from a stranger.

A man who knew his mother sent the letter. It read:

“Dear Johnny, I just wanted you to know how much my family and I appreciate what your mother has done for us for all of these years.

“Every year on Christmas Eve day your mom comes to my house dress like Mrs. Claus and gives my kids a Christmas that we can’t afford to give them. She has given them shoes, shirts, jeans, toys, and candy.

“I know your heart is heavy and that you are missing Miss Sue. We do, too. We loved her and just wanted you to know what she has done for us. Love, Robert and Nellie and the kids”

John was touched by the kind letter and shared the story with a publishing company. It was later put in a Christmas book of feel-good stories.