Love Is The Reason

On one special day each year for the past eleven years, Mr. Mickey becomes Santa for the day. He gives his undivided attention to each child and makes them feel safe and loved, if only for a few moments. A group of life-long friends made this event possible for more than sixty children who might not otherwise have very much of a Christmas. We give them a coat, clothes for school, shoes, and a toy as well as a pizza party for the children and their guardians or any family they might have.

The beautiful and very well-behaved children sat quietly at Santa’s feet as he told them a story.

At the end of a very long day, our bodies were tired, but our hearts were filled with the joy that comes from sharing good fortune and love with others.

Sending you love from across the miles.
Susan and Santa

93 Comments
  1. Mr. Mickey is the perfect Santa! Thank you for sharing this wonderful post with all of us. The glow on your faces in the last picture perfectly captures what this Christmas season is all about. Thank you so much for your blog; it is so much more than just about fashion but about a way to live fully. Many blessings to you and Mr. Mickey. Merry Christmas!

  2. God Bless you both for making a child feel loved and special. Giving of your time and talent always comes back to you threefold. Merry Christmas!

  3. I love that you and Mr. Mickey do this each year, what a lovely way to celebrate the joy and giving spirit of Christmas. All my best to the both of you, enjoy your holidays!

  4. These pictures brought the real meaning of Christmas to life and a really big smile to my face. Thank you so much for not only sharing but also for inspiring us all to be better people. xx

  5. I didn’t expect to get choked up and tearyeyed from reading your post. I read you daily and this is the first time you have made me cry. God bless y’all this season and throughout the year

  6. Mr Mickey is a keeper! The pictures of him with the children are priceless. For a change, he is in front of the camera.

  7. Thank you and Mickey for giving such a beautiful gift. May you have a Merry and blessed Christmas and Happy, healthy New Year!

  8. That is wonderful – almost magical. So generous of you and your friends. Glad those children have the two of you in their lives. Mr. Mickey is a perfect Santa! You two look terrific. Blessings to both of you and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

  9. Thank You Santa and Susan , and to the others in giving for this special yearly event. I’ve been looking forward to seeing the pictures! The smiles and cuddles say so much. Love shining thru each one. Beautiful! Simply Beautiful!

  10. How sweet! Those children are lucky to have you and Mr. Mickey in your community. This exemplifies the true meaning of Christmas; Merry Christmas to both of you!

  11. Oh Susan, this post brought tears to my eyes! How wonderful of Mr Mickey to give of his time in such a special way. With all the bad things happening in our world, well this just warms my heart. Thank you for sharing.
    Blessings to you both

  12. This beautiful post is just what I needed to see to help me cope with feelings of doom and gloom generated by the overwhelmingly negative and tragic news we are bombarded with constantly.

    Mr. Mickey and you understand the true spirit of the holidays and are so generous in extending joy and love to those who need it most. I wish you both the very happiest of holidays and a very Happy New Year!

  13. You are blessed to have each other. The greatest gift is the gift of ourselves and you and Mr. Mickey are proof of this.

  14. What a wonderful event. I am sure you all are blessed as much or more than those to whom you are giving.
    Mr Mickey makes a GREAT Santa!

  15. What special people you two are….giving and loving. A beautiful spirit for those kids….and Mr. Mickey certainly is a fabulous looking Santa!!

  16. This touched my heart. Thank you. My daughter’s husband passed away in a freak accident on October 27th and now I have three grandchildren without a dad. I needed to see something good as we are preparing for a difficult Christmas and this was just what I needed. Love to you and Mr. Mickey. Merry Christmas and God bless.

  17. Merry Christmas Susan,you brighten my day! How wonderful to be able to share one’s good fortune with others. Mr. Mickey looks like he is a true Santa in appearance and spirit as well!

  18. It’s so moving to read you today, Susan !
    What a beautiful project, and what a marvellous day, for these little children !
    Tiring, certainly, but so full o heart !
    Hélène, from France

  19. I’ve never commented before, but just had to for this post. It brought tears to these old eyes!! My husband dresses as Santa occasionally for nursing homes in our area and those residents get such a kick out of it! Thank you for giving of your time to those precious children, God Bless You and Merry Christmas!!

  20. You and Mr. Mickey truly are a gift. These special children will remember that day for the rest of their lives. God’s blessings to you all.

  21. Oh my gosh! Mr Mickey makes the perfect santa! Such a kind face and eyes! A man with kind eyes is a wonderful gift! Merry Christmas to you both.

  22. The best thing about the Christmas season 🙂 He makes an excellent Santa – the kids must have been thrilled!

    Merry Christmas and best wishes for a Happy 2017!

  23. I read your blog daily (which is wonderful, by the way) and even though I haven’t commented before, I just wanted you to know that this not only brought tears to my eyes but joy to my heart. What you and Mickey and the others did is the real meaning of Christmas. Thank you for sharing this with us. And I love the pictures – especially the last one. You both look wonderful!

  24. You and Mr. MIckey ( and your friends) are such heroes. I also have a feeling that for you both this is just the tip of the iceberg of your generosity to your community. You may have no idea how much you change and comfort each child…these children may not know for years, but for a child, who may live in difficult circumstances to have a new coat, new shoes, and be special for just a bit…will change a life. You are dropping the proverbial pebble in the pond…and the ripples will become a wave. So uplifting this year especially…
    Holly in Houston

  25. Ohh, this is so heartwarming and embodies the true spirit and meaning of Christmas! I’m so grateful that you shared these special moments with these adorable children. Your Mr. Mickey makes a very handsome Santa, and his joy shows through. Merry Christmas.

  26. Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful moments, and thank you Mr. Mickey for making one of the best memories these children will carry through out their lives. Love comes from the heart and all of you sure have a lot of love.

  27. Mr. Mickey is a wonderful Santa. The children are attentive and having fun. What more could you want! Blessings to both of you!

  28. Thanks for sharing this wonderful event with all of us. You both look spectacular…and the children look rapt….
    Merry Christmas to you Sharon and Mr Mickey love the blog and look forward to each new one…
    Happy, Healthy and Prosperous ….my wish for you in 2017

    Anne (from the frozen north in Canada)

  29. Wonderful people doing wonderful things for others. The world would be a much better place if we all took a leaf from the book of these people

  30. What a lovely idea and Mr Mickey makes a fabulous Santa – doesn’t he have kind eyes and a warm smile !

    I look forward to reading your Blogs Susan – it’s part of my morning routine before I go off to work.

    Happy Christmas.

    Warm regards,

    Wendy

  31. This is a beautiful story. You are very generous spirits and these children are so lucky to have you care for them.

    My best wishes for a beautiful and safe holiday season to you and yours.

  32. God Bless you both, for the good that you do.
    I believe when you put good into the world, God smiles and good comes back to you.

  33. Thank you both for bringing the true meaning of Christmas to each every one of those children. Susan & Mr. Mickey, I enjoy so thoroughly enjoyed reading about your journeys over the last couple of years. Thank you for sharing!

  34. What a lovely thing to do! God bless those beautiful children, Santa Micky and you, Susan. I wish you and Micky a very Merry Christmas and Happy 2017!

  35. Thanks for being so giving and bringing love and joy to children! May you and “Santa” have a wonderful Christmas!

  36. I love this…THANKS for sharing!! Events like this are heartwarming. My husband and I have helped out with food and gifts for children and their families with our church, in VA.Beach, at Thanksgiving and Christmas, for many years…

    Love your posts, too…I relate to many of your varied topics covering clothes, accessories, shoes, makeup, jewelry. Sadly, I can not wear high heels, as I did years ago…(former stewardess)…always looking for attractive, comfy shoes with some height. Have been somewhat successful with various wedges. I tend to “shop in my closet” because I do not “pitch” to many items!!! I am a Chico’s gal, Steinmart, TJ’s…and…believe it or not…occasionally, on QVC with “LOGO” line. I tend to be a contemporary/traditional dresser…who is brave enough to, periodically, put on a few edgy items that are fun…like the new rage: LuLaRoe tights, (have 4 pair) with some of my longer tops and boots!!!
    Keep up the good work of sharing!!! Always enjoy reading your thoughts and suggestions…

  37. Such giving and loving hearts! Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. Thank you for opening your positive attitudes and love of life to others.

  38. I’ve been waiting for this post. Blessings to you all. Mr. Mickey has become the spirit of Christmas in these photos.

  39. Lovely post on giving & you look stunning as always. Accessed the comments & blog menu through the Makeup Tips email; but could not access comments through Love is the Reason email from subscription..dont know why? Always enjoy reading the comments & your replies. I’m 63 today! Wishing you & Mr M a wonderful Christmas season. It was a happy day when I found your great blog. Enjoying the pants very much! Looking at all those great scarves…choices, choices! Thanks Susan!

  40. Beautiful! The pictures and the reasons for giving! Thanks for doing such a wonderful thing for the children.
    Mr. Mickey is a great looking Santa. You look good in red.

  41. Thank you for all of your posts Susan. I look forward very much to reading it every day. I have adopted many of your style and makeup tips and they help to make me feel better about myself and my appearance as aging has changed my style needs.
    I just wanted to say thank you for this post as it helped to remind me of what is truly important.

  42. So very special!!! This shows the real spirit of the Christmas season!! Thank you, Mr. Mickey and all of those who make this event possible!! Blessings for a very Merry Christmas to you all!

  43. So enjoy all your pictures and posts.. I have taken a lot of advice from looking at your pictures and especially how you add scarves to your outfits!Merry Christmas and may God bless!

  44. That is truly lovely; thank you so much for sharing. My husband is seriously ill and in the hospital in Portland, OR and that brought a smile to my face.

  45. What a wonderful and beautiful thing to do. May God bless you and return to you the happiness you bring to those children!

  46. This is amazing! May God keep you and Mr. Mickey well and bless these young children as well. Have an incredible Christmas!!

  47. I do business w Mr Mickey and he told me about your website. You are a beautiful and classy lady and good to put a face on Mr Mickey, too!

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I share tips and inspiration for using what you already have in contemporary ways. Defining words include effortless, classic, refined, discreet, and elegant. My style is chic, minimal, and timeless with a bit of edge.