A Modern Santa: From Soot to Smiles
There are countless ways to tell my story, but I want to start from the beginning—back when I was just a boy. I was born in 1986, though we all know Santa Claus has been around for centuries. There have been many Santas before me, and there will be many after. Why? Because I’m not the only jolly soul out there. Many people find joy in bringing happiness to the children around them. Playful children have a way of bringing a house to life, creating memories, and filling rooms with laughter.
I grew up with four siblings: an older brother, two younger sisters, and a younger brother. My older brother and I were inseparable, two pale, freckled redheads—“The Burrington Boys,” people would say. We were definitely a handful for our parents.
Growing up, my brother and I believed in Santa with all our hearts. Every year, Santa seemed to know exactly what we wanted. New baseball gloves, footballs, basketball hoops, sports cards, and Nerf guns—everything a sport-loving kid could dream of.
One year, Santa even brought me a pair of brand-new Nike cleats. It was my first year playing safety for the JV football team, and those cleats made me feel invincible. I had dreams of playing football in college and going pro. But as it turned out, I didn’t put in the work to be a full-time athlete. I learned then that you can be anything you want to, but you have to work hard. Working really hard is what successful people do.
After high school, I did a couple of semesters at a local college, then joined the workforce full-time. For years, I drifted from job to job, never quite finding my purpose. I tried my hand at various things, each leaving me feeling more lost. Then, almost by chance, I became a chimney sweep.
At first, I thought, Everyone’s heard of a chimney sweep, but no one dreams of being one. And I was right. Most chimney sweeps stumble into the work; it’s rarely planned. Yet, as I got deeper into the work, I found myself becoming fascinated by it. I spent years learning about chimneys—200-year-old stone chimneys, century-old brick ones, and even modern factory-built models. I became a certified sweep and a F.I.R.E.-Certified inspector. In time, I became an expert chimney inspector.
During those years, with soot on my face and my hands blackened, something started to shift. I built relationships with clients who would call me back every year. They wanted their woodstoves, coal stoves, and fireplaces swept by me. They trusted me to do a thorough job and let them know when something wasn’t safe. A good sweep will do that. My clients knew that after I’d been by, they could enjoy a warm, cozy fire come winter.
Over time, I even learned to repair chimneys. I became a mason, building scaffolding, chipping out, and repointing stone. I disassembled and rebuilt old brick chimneys, relined flues with stainless steel liners, and even rebuilt fireplaces. With each project, I learned to bring a bit of warmth back to old homes. Restoring these chimneys became an art.
While working on those chimneys, I started noticing how many children lived at each house. It became a habit to leave small presents anonymously—a short children’s story here, a toy car there, maybe a small doll. Seeing the joy in those children’s eyes reminded me of the magic I felt as a boy when gifts were left for me.
It finally hit me… There’s nothing more magical than a child’s smile. A genuine smile can be contagious. It spreads like wildfire, softening hearts along the way. In those moments, I knew I’d found my purpose: I wanted to put smiles on as many faces as I could. Right now, I do that by telling stories. One day, I’ll do it by leaving gifts for as many children as I can reach.
Life has a funny way of working out. Even when things don’t go as planned, there’s always a path to something extraordinary. Don’t give up on your dreams; you never know what you might become. Hasn’t Santa shown that to everyone.
