Yes, Virginia

Occasionally you see a news story that restores your faith in humanity. They play more this time of year because people are in the “spirit” of the season and are trying just a little harder to consider their fellow man. What is nice to remember is that for every story you see on the news there are 50 more that are happening out of the spotlight. I witnessed one of them today and I am feeling very much in the Christmas Spirit as a result.

Maggie went to a party today. It does not make the news, or at least it hasn’t in the past; but it is one of those stories that just makes you feel good. It is a Christmas lunch for hundreds of developmentally disabled people in San Francisco. It is hosted by the Department of Parks and Recreation, but the food is prepared by the St Francis hotel. It is then ferried to the event and served by members of Company 9 of the San Francisco Fire Department. Company 9 has been doing this lunch every year for 41 years. That is a lot of good cheer.

Last year was the first year Maggie attended and the teacher encouraged me to stop by. It takes place in the Hall of flowers in Golden Gate Park, about a ten-minute walk from my house. I assumed it was something for a few classes of kids in special ed and got there at the end to say hello. That assumption was way off.

What to my wondering eyes did appear? It was so sweet and inspiring that I made certain to arrive on time this year to enjoy the whole event.
There were about 500 people at 20 long tables. The people are all ages sizes and abilities, but the only “non-disabled” are maybe 100 caregivers and people working at the luncheon. Maggie and her classmates are the youngest ones in the room. It is some high school kids but mostly adults. This was a party for the developmentally disabled population of San Francisco. And what a party. There is music and dancing along with a hot turkey lunch with all the trimmings.

There are people in wheelchairs moving to the music alongside people with Down’s syndrome, autism and a host of other developmental issues. And everybody is having the time of their lives. Sure, occasionally someone is over stimulated and freaks out a little bit, but it does not faze this crowd. For the most part they’ve all “been there, done that.” It is just part of the deal. It does not even slow down the party for a second.

The only thing bigger than the plates of food are the smiles on the faces of the guests of honor. This is their party. They do not have to sit on the sidelines and “behave” while others have fun. This is their time to cut loose and have fun. The dancing is done with wild abandon until the food is served. The room becomes more subdued for a while until the arrival of the Big Man.

For those of you who doubt the existence of Santa Claus, I suggest you attend this luncheon next year. Santa enters after lunch in the company of several firefighters. They are just there to make sure Santa can get all the way into the room before he is surrounded. Once he is safely in the middle of the dance floor, the firefighters quickly back off and Santa is there for the guests. Hundreds of developmentally disabled adults who are beyond excited to see him almost immediately MOB him. It is the Christmas magic of the movies, right before your eyes.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Clause. A whole bunch of them.

I saw them today.

Find the spirit.