That's What Christmas Is All About

   as told by "Francis the Clown" 

Christmas has long been considered a time when "magic" happens, understood usually as the magic of love.   I experienced this in a wonderful way when I first began clowning.

The story begins December 20, 1986, at Deaconess Manor Nursing Home in St. Louis, where Francis the Clown and his stuffed animal friend "Bear Hugs" reported to the activities director before visiting the residents.   "Please make sure you see Charlotte Brooks in Room 216 today, Francis," said Karen.  "She hasn't smiled at anyone for weeks, never talks anymore, and hardly eats anything.  We think she has given up.  Maybe you can cheer her up."  "I'll try," replied Francis and he headed for the second floor.

It was noon and Charlotte was in her wheelchair with her lunch tray in front of her.  But she was just sitting there with her head down.  Hard of hearing, Charlotte did not hear Francis enter.  He sat right across from her, tapped her on the shoulder.  When she looked up, he put "Bear Hugs" right in front of her face.  Immediately she grabbed the small stuffed animal and pulled it to her cheek.  Then the magic happened.  A radiant smile crossed her face and she began talking.  It was several minutes before Francis could interrupt, saying it was time for him to visit others on the floor.  When he reached out for "Bears Hugs," Charlotte grabbed on tightly and said, "Cant I keep her?"  "No," replied Francis, "she's the only one I have.  I want to share her with others too."  At that, Charlotte started to cry.  So did Francis.  He didn't know what to do.  Finally, he took "Bear Hugs out of Charlotte's reluctant hand went to the next room.  But he was not happy, not at all satisfied that he had done the right thing.  "Bear Hugs" had worked a miracle, he was convinced.  But he wanted others to have access to that same miracle.  What should he do?

Francis lived with that question for several days.  The Saturday before Christmas, he was performing at Union Station, a special St. Louis shopping mall.  As he told the story of the magic ("miracle") that "Bear Hugs" had done only days before, a young man in the crowd raised his hand and called out -- "Francis, my mom gave me $10 to buy some things for myself.  If I gave you half o of that, would you go to that bear store at the top of the escalator and buy a "Bear Hugs" for Charlotte Brooks?"  And he reached into his wallet and pulled out a $5 bill.  Francis was stunned.  "You mean you'd give me half your money for Charlotte?"  "Yes," replied the boy, "that's what Christmas is all about."  Francis asked him his name -- "John Jost" -- and his age -- "11."  Just then, his sister called out, "Francis, if I give you $5, will you give it to someone else at the nursing home?  Mom, may I borrow $5?  I promise I'll pay you back!" And she gave Francis a second $5.  Her name? Jennifer Jost, age 9.

With $10 in hand, Francis proceeded to the bear store as directed by John Jost and found two more "Bear Hugs."  At the counter, he got a strange look from the sales person who asked what the animals were for.  Francis explained what had just happened and that he would be taking them to the nursing home.  At that, the sales person, who also happened to be the manager, lit up and said, "if that's what you do with them, then you can have any stuffed animal in this store at half price.  I'd like to help too!"  Well, John Jost had started a whole series of magical happenings.

On Christmas Day, Francis took the four stuffed animals he got for $10 and gave them to four residents of Deaconess Manor, Charlotte first.  Her reaction?  A frown at first, because she thought she was supposed to pay for her "Bear Hugs."  But when Francis explained what had happened, the frown was replaced with another miracle smile.  Six more times Francis visited Charlotte, each time taking her "Bear Hugs" from her windowsill and stroking her cheek with her new friend.  The last time was Easter Sunday, 1987.  Charlotte was no longer able to get into her wheelchair and spent her days confined to bed.  She was sleeping this time, but when "Bear Hugs" snuggled up to her cheek, she opened her eyes slightly with a gentle smile.  Francis put her hand in hers.  They prayed together for a few moments.  He kissed her forehead and then she settled back into her sleep.

It was the last time Francis saw Charlotte, for she died shortly afterwards.  But Francis knew that she died with a peacefulness that only the magic of an 11-year-old boy could provide.   She died knowing that she was special.  Francis told her that.  Francis showed her that.  But it was the magic of John Jose, whom she never met, that was the most special part of it all.  Without John, there may not have been a "Bear Hugs" to make Charlotte's last months special.  Francis may not have been nearly as attentive and compassionate without John and his "Bear Hugs."

And the magic goes on!  Every time Francis tells this story, magic happens.  Kids all over St. Louis and around the United States have been giving their stuffed animals to lonely people -- in nursing homes, in shelters for kids and adults, to members of their own families who are in the hospital or lonely at home.  Francis alone collected over 500 stuffed animals in the next four years and delivered them to places as far away as a day-care center in a tiny village in central Nicaragua.   And it all started because of John Jost.  "Thanks, John, for showing us what Christmas is all about!"