8 year old didn’t ask Santa for presents, but for her aunt to recover from stroke

OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) – A local third grader wrote a letter to Santa, not asking for toys, but for a member of her family to recover from a recent stroke.

Santa has come and gone, but that request on 8 year old Claire’s Christmas list is bittersweet.

Doctor’s have high hopes for Aunt Joy’s recovery and she has a strong support system by her side.

“Dear Santa, I would really really love it if you could help my aunt.”

8 year old Claire Bradley’s Great Aunt Joy suffered a severe stroke just one month ago, on November 27th so for Christmas Claire had one thing on her Christmas list.

Claire says, “I don’t really care if I get presents. I would rather my aunt get better.”

She wrote this letter for an assignment in her 3rd grade class at North Lee Elementary because she realized Christmas would be a little different while her great Aunt Joy recovers at the Life Care Center in Ooltewah.

“Every year on Christmas she always comes to our family Christmas and it’s special to me,” says Claire.

Joy, a former special education coordinator for Bradley county schools, is paralyzed on the right side of her body. Clair wrote that she wants her to feel loved this Christmas.

“One thing, I would like for you to do is send people to come visit her another thing I would like you to do is… The nurses, doctors and people to help her get better. I am really worried about her thank you so much sincerely Claire Bradley,” read Claire.

Claire’s mother Jennifer says Joy is someone their entire family looks up to.

Jennifer Robinson says, “She’s so positive. She’s just a strong powerhouse woman and I see that in her life and those are some of the things she passed down. It’s some of the same things and the lessons that she is taught me, they have stuck with me and there are things that, when I am in certain situations, they still echo in my head and in my heart and in my spirit. That brave, courageous, strong spirit lives on in her and in myself and inside of Claire.”

Claire’s great uncle wanted us to share this story because he said he thinks someone out there needs to hear it.

Claire’s mom told me it was a proud mom moment when she read the letter.