A photo of a 12-year-old boy from Texas praying with Santa was found to be so touching that it recently went viral. Another mother witnessed the boy at the Bass Pro Shop in Garland, Texas, asking Santa to help his sick father instead of asking for any gifts.
The woman spoke to NBC 5 but wished to remain anonymous, and said that on Tuesday, December 19, she saw the boy holding a wish list but that all he asked for was for his father’s health to improve and for assistance with their family’s medical bills. She took a picture of the moment and afterward, she shared it on Facebook. Her post read as follows: “For four years, we have always come to Bass Pro to take Jaxen’s Christmas picture with Santa. Tonight, I knew I was in the right place when the family in front of us went to see Santa. I overheard him ask Santa for money for his Dad’s medical bills, and to please let his dad be healthy! The next thing we notice, Santa and the boy bow their heads.”
The picture was posted on Wednesday, December 20, and spread throughout internet-land like wildfire, obtaining more than 36 thousand reactions and well beyond 5,000 shares as of Friday, December 22. The family was contacted by NBC 5, during which time the boy’s dad said, “I have no real words. It’s just been heartwarming that so many people out there believe and care.” Jason Coker (the dad for whom the request was made) has an undiagnosed blood disorder for which he has been in and out of the hospital over the past two years. His last hospital visit was December 10.
