By Leigh Ann Rutledge
Accent Editor
December 22, 2008
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HOLIDAY SPIRIT. Members of the Swearingen family wait outside as Brian Swearingen arrives home from Iraq. Santa was asked to bring “Daddy”home on a fire truck by the Swearingen children.
Shown above from left: Kathy Saunier holding Bailey Swearingen, Tracey, Braxton and Lexi Swearingen. |
The Swearingen family is proof that “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!”
Brian Swearingen was scheduled to finish his second tour of duty with the U.S. Army in Iraq in December. Anxiously awaiting his return to their Park Ave., Carrollton, home were wife Tracey and their children, Lexi, 10, Braxton, 4, and Bailey, 2.
Tracey said, “It’s been a rough year. Braxton wanted to know ‘When is Daddy coming home?’ He had a really hard time with Daddy being gone. He kept asking and finally during the county fair, I told him daddy would be home when it snows.”
Tracey took the kids to visit with Santa at Dellroy and at the mall. When Santa asked Braxton what he wanted for Christmas he told Santa, “I just want my daddy. I want you to bring my daddy home. All I want is my daddy.”
With the wonderful imagination children have, Braxton decided Santa Claus was going to grant his wish and bring daddy home. The family attended the annual Carrollton Christmas parade and when Santa and Mrs. Claus came into town riding on the fire truck, Braxton knew Santa Claus was bringing Daddy home on the fire truck.
Brian decided since he was going to be home for Christmas, he wanted to put up the Christmas tree and decorate it as a family. Braxton, however, was upset and afraid Santa would not bring daddy home unless the family had their tree up. Braxton’s fears were eliminated when Tracey put the tree up and strung lights for decoration.
Originally Tracey was going to take the kids with her to Canton to pick up Brian. Kathy Saunier, Tracey’s mom, suggested she see if she could get someone from the fire department to help Santa deliver his gift. Through the Carrollton Police Department, Tracey was able to contact Carrollton Village Fire Department Assistant Chief Tom Mesler.
When Mesler heard the story he agreed to meet Santa and bring Brian home on the fire truck. Mesler stated, “He is coming home from serving in Iraq; we can do this for him and his family.”
Everyone gathered at Carrollton High School and proceeded to Park Ave. All the kids knew was Mom told them they needed to go out on the porch. Then they received the best Christmas gift!
When asked what Lexi thought about seeing Daddy coming home with Santa, she said, “It was the coolest thing. I am happy.” The family spent the day hanging out together and had a special dinner. Afterwards they watched a Christmas movie together and the kids “all fought over who got to sit by Daddy.”
The Swearingens, doing normal holiday activities, went shopping and everyone got to pick out a new ornament to hang on the tree. And they decorated the Christmas tree together.
Brian will get back into his routine by going back to work at Aultman Hospital and continuing his studies at Akron University.
Tracey stated, “It was so amazing how it all worked out. We couldn’t have asked for a better timeline. Braxton was so adamant that Santa was bringing Daddy home and it all came together.”
Braxton told his parents he wanted to visit Santa again and had the opportunity to do that Dec. 18 when Santa visited Carroll Hills, where Braxton is in preschool.
Did he ask for toys this time?
Braxton said, “I thanked Santa for my daddy.” |
