A Christmas wish comes true

Santa meets the military dad mentioned in past Christmas wish

Two years ago, Kelsey, Kaylee and Courtney Peterson came to Basin’s Home for the Holidays to see Santa. The girls were then 11, 9 and 7. Kelsey asked Santa if he could bring their military dad home for Christmas. 

This year while visiting Santa at Home for the Holidays, Kelsey asked him if he remembered them. Santa replied he did and remembered their request. Kelsey then told him, “Our dad is now home from the military.” With a few tears in his eyes, Santa gathered the girls into his arms for a giant hug. She then introduced him to her parents. Sergeant Kyle Peterson and Christy. 

The Petersons all reside in Basin now. The parents were living at Fort Wainwright, Alaska two years ago. The Sergeant recently retired after serving 11 years in the Army. The Petersons have ancestors that have lived in the Big Horn Basin for many generations, including some of the earliest settlers. They chose to live here. 

With their parents being home now, each girl had different requests of Santa. Kelsey asked for more time with her parents. Kaylee wants her dogs to live forever. Courtney asked for “love” from Santa and then gave him a hug. 

Santa later recalled that the Peterson girls’ request two years ago really touched his heart. He shared that request along with a young girl asking for food and another young girl asking for boots with his friend Dr. James Martyniak. Martyniak said, “That breaks my heart, I’m sending you a check.” 

A story about those requests along with a picture of Santa with children ran in the Basin Republican Rustler. Santa sent copies of that paper to Martyniak and his wife Daniella. The Martyniaks decided to raise money to purchase items such as warm hats, gloves and scarves for Santa to giveaway the following years. 

Last year, each child that came to see Santa at the event was given those items. This year, each child that came through again received a hat, gloves and scarves.  As far as requests Santa heard this year, the one that touched him the most was a question from a young lady. She said her dog had died. She asked Santa if her dog went to heaven. Santa replied that dogs and cats all go to heaven. 

When he was nine, a priest told him, “One single act of kindness over time multiplies.”  That is a motto he tries to live by. He encourages others to do the same.