West Michigan Mom’s Heartwarming Story Wins The Internet

For the second week on a row, a Facebook post by a West Michigan woman has won over the internet.

Naomi Johnson's story about her son's conversation with Santa Claus will leave you feeling better about mankind and proud of the community you live in.

Last week, it was Susan Aldrich's acceptance of Meijer employee's art work, and this week it's Naomi Johnson's tale of her son's run in with a mall Santa at Grandville's RiverTown Crossing.

Naomi's son Landon has autism, a fact he decided to share with Santa while getting his photo taken with his cousins. It was what Santa did next that left Naomi feeling grateful as she shared the experience on her Facebook page:

Santa sat him next to him and took L's hands in his and started rubbing them, calming them down. Santa asked L if it bothered him, having Autism? L said yes, sometimes. Then Santa told him it shouldn't. It shouldn't bother him to be who he is. L told Santa that sometimes he gets in trouble at school and it's hard for people to understand that he has autism, and that he's not a naughty boy. Santa told L to not worry and that he has been a very good boy being who he is. They sat, and chatted for at least 5 mins. Santa payed close attention and listened to him. This just melts this momma's heart! My child is a great advocate for himself. But this day was different. He opened up to this person about who he was and he was accepted. He wasn't a science experiment, like he gets treated when most people find out he autistic. He was Landon, sitting with Santa and being told that it was ok to be himself. Mommy tells him all the time that he's special and I love him the way he was made, but it's always nice to hear it from others. To be told that it's ok to be who he is.
We have met a lot of amazing people in our Autism journey, but this one made the top of the list.
Shout out to the Santa at the RiverTown Crossings Mall. You.are.AMAZING!

This is why I moved back to West Michigan, the people here are the best. It's not all unicorns and sunshine, but there's a heart and resilience here I love.