You know what they say about the stars, right? They might not hold all the answers, but they sure can set the scene for a life story that can leave your jaw on the floor. Now, let me sprinkle a bit of that cosmic dust on to this tale of Christmas ‘secrets’.
So here’s something that’ll make you wonder if the next astrological prediction might just be about your own family’s holiday shenanigans; during the festive season, when we’re all supposed to be caroling, sipping cocoa, and exchanging wise, over the top presents, like that time I got a Swarovski Star of Bethlehem sculpture from my Capricorn ex — very flashy, very Cap, right? But for one guy, Christmas was a puzzle, wrapped in mystery, inside an enigma—just like those Scorpio types, they can be all secretive and mysterious.
John Dorroh, our Scorpio in question, his holiday tradition was a far cry from your average ‘unwrap the gifts’ scenario; his mom would jump into Santa’s sleigh—or rather, her not-that-flashy Pontiac—but indulge me with my metaphor, and vanish every Christmas Eve. Imagine the anticipation, not for the presents, but for the annual puzzle only the stars might’ve foretold.
She left behind a trail of questions as mysterious as those left by Jupiter retrograde in the birth chart of a complex personality. Why was she dressing up as Mrs. Claus or perhaps just hopping into a bright red Chrysler K-Car, speeding off like her life depended on it? You know, the kind of speed that would make even a Gemini pause.
And you’ve got to consider this, every family’s tradition is as quirky as their sun signs, right? But for John and his folks, Mrs. Santa Clause was taking turns away from unwrapping the secrets of Christmas instead of presents—but for John, it was more than trinkets and treats she was leaving behind. It was a legacy of kindness and giving that even the most skeptical Virgo would nod in approval at.
Well, as the manuscript of life turned its pages, after Sue’s passing, the stars aligned, and the truth came to light, like a full moon revealing its luminous face. A mysterious letter, as if written by the cosmos themselves, revealed that her clandestine journeys were acts of charity, wrapped in the spirit of the season, embodying the true meaning of Christmas—giving without expecting anything in return.
In a world where everyone thinks Scorpios are just secretive for kicks, here was Sue, a Scorpio through and through, whose legacy was to give joy in the shadows, much like the dark, magnetic allure of a Scorpio moon.
John’s story, like a well-timed astrological transit, it’s not just a romp through someone’s past but a chronicle of what it means to give, to leave an imprint on the world that outlasts our physical presence. So, the next time someone claims, “I'll be back in a few” under the guise of holiday errands, you might want to ponder if they’re off saving Christmas for someone else.
And then, when we dive into the stars, we find ourselves reflecting on the magic of Christmas, not through the charts or the conjunctions but through the narrative of John’s mom, Sue, spiralizing her tiny plot of the galaxy with doses of hope and joy. It’s truly intriguing, not because it’s about astrology, but because it resonates universally, making you ponder your own star signs, your family’s odd traditions, and maybe even your own secretive acts of kindness.
Time to LEARN MORE about this enchanting holiday tale that could’ve been scripted by the stars themselves. LEARN MORE.
Christmas is a magical time and is one of the most important days of the year for many families.
But for one man, all he remembers about Christmas Eve is his mother leaving without explanation.
Christmas is a time of celebration, joy, and quality time with your loved ones. Typical Christmas celebrations include a delicious feast and gift-sharing.
But for one man, Christmas was spent a little bit differently as a child, as he watched his mother, Sue, leave every Christmas Eve for unknown reasons. That is until she passed away.
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For children, Christmas is a time when they get to see their whole family reunited, who are, in turn, excited to see them growing up.
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It’s a time when positive memories are formed in the child’s development and gives the season a sense of importance to look forward to during the year.
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Every family celebrates Christmas differently. Maybe they open presents on Christmas Eve or wait until Christmas day.
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But for John Dorroh, his Christmas tradition was seeing his mom leave in a hurry on Christmas eve.
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For years without fail, John’s mother would leave in a rush on Christmas eve, promising to return in a few hours.
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Sue never gave a reason for what she was doing, which was a mystery to the family.
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John’s family never questioned what his mother was up to, as she would return within a few hours as promised.
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But he can’t forget how she would grab her car keys and drive off.
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John and his family never understood what was happening. His mother always made sure to buy everyone’s presents on time.
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What was she doing if she wasn’t going out to buy last-minute gifts for the family?
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The family went years without gaining a clear answer. They learned to accept that John’s mother would disappear like clockwork every Christmas eve.
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Still, the question of what she was up to would follow John until her passing.
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After his mother’s death, John received a mysterious letter from a man who only referred to himself as “Robert.”
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The letter revealed what John’s mother was up to on Christmas eve.
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The letter was addressed directly to John and not anyone else in his family.
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The letter began with, “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.”
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The mysterious Robert revealed that he and John’s mother were close, so much so that he was the one she was visiting every time she would disappear on Christmas eve.
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It was a surprising revelation that John could’ve never imagined.
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Besides the surprise at finding out his mother was spending time with Robert and his family every Christmas, John kept reading the letter for more details.
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He had to know why his mother had to see another family during Christmas.
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With a family mystery that had no answer, John was nervous about what the letter could reveal.
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After all, what kind of mother would leave her family with no explanation?
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Finally, the letter revealed the truth. “Every year on Christmas Eve day, your mom comes to my house dressed [sic] 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.”
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John couldn’t believe it.
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The letter revealed that John’s mother would meet with Robert’s family every Christmas eve to give gifts to his family.
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Although he already knew it, it confirmed what he already knew that his mother had a big heart.
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Robert was also grieving after the death of John’s mother.
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“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.”
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Of course, it’s not easy to say goodbye to someone who went out of their way to help your family during such a crucial time.
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Still, it didn’t explain why Sue couldn’t just tell her family what she was doing.
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But perhaps Sue didn’t need the recognition. She was such a kind person that she never wanted praise for her actions.
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She felt joy in the act of helping others in need.
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What Sue did was truly embody the spirit of Christmas. She brought the joy of the holidays to a family that needed it without asking for anything in exchange.
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She was selfless and wanted to spread that cheer in whatever way she could.
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Sue could have easily donated to a charity.
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Instead, she dressed up as Santa and made Christmas something that Robert’s children could always look forward to every year.
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John’s mother expected nothing in return and wanted to see Robert’s family enjoy the Christmas season.
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Although it was a surprising discovery, he’s grateful to have had such a caring mother.
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The story of John’s mother and her secret act of giving shows us that despite the busyness of everyday life, it can take just a few hours to show you care.
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Sue’s story shares the true joy of giving.
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After finding out about his mother’s whereabouts on Christmas eve all those years ago, John burst into tears.
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Hearing that his mother had such an impact on others’ lives inspired him to share the story.
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As a professional writer, John wrote a short story about his mom called “Mom’s Secret Mission.”
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He submitted the story to Chicken Soup for the Soul to be considered for publication.
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It took a while, but finally, John received good news.
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Amy Newmark, the editor-in-chief of the publishing house, loved the story so much that she included the short story in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Joy of Christmas in 2016.
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John says he felt humbled that Chicken Soup for the Soul included his story in the 2016 Christmas edition of the famous book series.
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But her story of giving has since inspired readers around the world.
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John has since become a teacher and writer in his hometown of Highland, Illinois.
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He’s proud that his mother’s story has inspired others to show the spirit of giving to those in need.
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While no one knows for sure if Sue also helped other families, it’s clear that her memory will live on thanks to the book.
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John knows that her memory will grow to become a worldwide inspiration.
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John is a science teacher and writer in Highland who has taught for over 30 years, sharing the gift of knowledge with young people.
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He also is a master short story writer, and his work has appeared in numerous online reviews and publications.
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He also has published a few books, including How to Write to Learn Science, a book that teaches students about science using writing methodology combining this love of science with his love of writing.
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He also has a collection of 99 short stories called 99 Words, published in 2012.
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John splits his time between Mississippi and his native Illinois.
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He continues to honor the memory of his mother in other ways, writing short stories and poetry about her life.