The typical Christmas experience did not happen to John Dorroh. Despite the fact that most families get closer during the holidays, he grew up seeing his mother vanish from home on Christmas Eve time and time again. He had no idea where his mother disappeared to at this critical time of year, but she was absent from home for around three hours every Christmas Eve without fail. Only after she died did he realize his mother left home each Christmas Eve in order to spread holiday joy throughout the neighborhood.
Dorroh decided to find out where his mother was going during family time on Christmas Eve, so he had the courage to ask his father about her odd behavior. “Well, maybe she forgot something,” his father responded when asked why the matriarch’s continual absences on Christmas Eve.
Dorroh discovered, however, that his father had most likely lied to him about his mother’s absence. He was certain that it was improbable that his mother would forget anything on Christmas Eve as he grew older and realized that it would always take three hours for her to complete anything. It was also strange that she should forget anything at this time, as she was a person who completed the bulk of her Christmas shopping in August.
John Dorroh’s mother would disappear on Christmas Eve, and his father and grandfather would ask her what she had done every year. She never gave a clear response, which piqued their interests even more.
Unfortunately, Dorroh’s mother would keep her Christmas Eve mystery to the grave. It was only when he was an adult that he learned the real reason she vanished from home on Christmas Eve for three hours every time.
In a letter from an unknown individual named Robert, the answer was provided.
“Dear Johnny, I just wanted you to know how much my family and I appreciate what your mother has done for us for all of these years. Every year on Christmas Eve day, your mom comes to my house dressed like Mrs. Claus and gives my kids a Christmas that we can’t afford to give them. She has given them shoes, shirts, jeans, toys, and candy. I know your heart is heavy and that you are missing Miss Sue. We do, too. We loved her and just wanted you to know what she has done for us. Love, Robert and Nellie, and the kids.”
Dorroh always believed his mother was forgetful, and that she would leave the home to do some shopping. In reality, she was playing the part of Mrs. Claus for lovely young kids whose parents could not afford to give them Christmas presents during the holidays.
Robert had worked with Sue Dorroh in the past and saw how generous she was with her time throughout the holidays. He recognized it was his responsibility to convey his thanks to her son following her death.
In the book Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Joy of Christmas, Dorroh shared his mother’s secret in a tale entitled “Mom’s Secret Mission.”
