A rock collector is sent on a special mission by Santa
What was happening? Matt Martin’s first time riding in a limo and suddenly, the police were in front of them, leading the way. Were they here to take away the big iron skeleton key that Santa had given him just this morning? Eleven-year-old Matt stuffed the key inside his coat, to keep it safe.
“We’re not in trouble,” his mom, Mandy Moore, told him. “The police are escorting us because we’re on an important mission.”
And what a mission it was. Only this morning, December 24, Santa had surprised Matt by appearing at his house. Matt couldn’t believe Santa was actually there, talking to him, in person. That’s when Santa entrusted him with the key and asked him to please rescue Professor Pearl, who’d been lost for years in a deep dark cave. And Matt had bravely said, “Yes.”
Everyone in the limo was excited: Matt, his mom Mandy, his little sister MacKenzie, his grandma Sharon, and one of his favorite family friends, Randy Thornton.
The whole family was so grateful for this outing. Especially Matt, who’d been battling leukemia ever since he was two-years-old. He had dealt with relapse after relapse over the years. Just recently, he’d received devastating news: he had a brain tumor that was not responding to treatments. The doctors had no idea what to do next. But Matt had told his mom, “I have a brain tumor and I’m not done.” Mandy was frantically searching for medical options.
“We were struggling because he was healthy only months ago and suddenly I was supposed to make funeral arrangements,” Mandy said. She was so glad that he was feeling better and able to enjoy Christmas.
Meanwhile, the limo was following a narrow winding road, venturing deeper and deeper into an underground area filled with caves. Matt had never seen anything like it: tons of giant stone pillars holding up a solid stone ceiling. The moment the car stopped, Matt raced straight to an old door that said “Santa’s Coal Annex, Abandoned for non-use 1911.”Matt was jumping up and down with excitement. Randy helped him maneuver the huge key, open the ancient lock, then unwind the massive chains so they could pull open the door.
Armed with hard hats and flashlights, the family moved carefully into the cold, dark, musty cave. They had to watch their step, because of the piles of rocks and heaps of scrap metal everywhere.
“Hello?” A weak voice called. It was Professor Pearl, the world- renowned archeologist.
“I’ve been trapped in this cave for years,” Professor told Matt. “Thank you for rescuing me.”
Matt was ecstatic. He had accomplished his mission for Santa.
Professor told the family that he was helping Santa when he accidentally got locked into Santa’s mine of naughty coal. Legend has it, when kids were mean or bad, Santa gave them only coal for Christmas.
“But when bad kids turn good, their coal transforms into glowing rock treasures,” the professor explained.
Matt was in awe of all the rocks. He’d been collecting since he was a kid, digging up rocks from his backyard and anywhere else he could find them. But this cave was beyond anything he’d even seen or imagined.
He asked questions about each one and took his time finding them and studying them. The professor handed Matt a canvas bag to put the treasures in and Matt eagerly discovered agates, turquoise, quartz, geodes, and many more he still has not yet identified.
“He could have stayed there for days,” Mandy said.
But suddenly, the cave began to rattle and shake.
“Quick, we have to get out,” the professor warned.
Matt grabbed Mackenzie’s hand and ran. Mandy gathered up their treasures, and everyone rushed them out.
Once safely back home, Matt and Mackenzie instantly started identifying their treasures.
The next morning, there were many more gifts for the whole family, but the rocks ruled.
Matt said, “I loved riding in the limo and rescuing the professor. And I love every rock. All of them are my favorites. I look them up on my phone and learn their names and how much they’re worth.”
A week after Christmas, Mandy enrolled Matt in an experimental drug trial. The trial worked and Matt has enjoyed months of wellness.
Now, almost a year later, Matt and Mackenzie are still identifying those amazing rocks. And still reliving their marvelous Christmas adventure.
“I am 52 years old and I never in my life experienced something so magical,” Matt’s grandmother Sharon said.
Matt’s mom agreed. “The rocks are something we can do as a family. We talk about them with each other and with friends. The Elves’ Christmas was the most fantastic holiday I can ever imagine!”
