Editor's Note: Dunedin Patch received this heartwarming letter on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012. It is from a woman who had just taken grandchildren to see Santa visit their neighborhood aboard a Dunedin fire truck, as part of the Dunedin Fire Department's "Operation Santa" tradition. 

Hello and MERRY CHRISTMAS, 

I rushed around to bring a friend's grandchildren to see the fire truck with Santa. I finally found a place to park on the side of the road. We could hear them coming and the kids were so excited. I saw the lights and the kids screamed, "He's coming, he's coming." When they reached us, we walked over to the truck and the men and women so finely dressed, handed them treats. But most blessed of all was me. Each one of them looked right into my heart and said, "Merry Christmas." Not the empty words you say to a stranger, but piercing, heart-felt, kindness that I surely needed today. You see its been just one month today, I lost my husband. And today I attended a funeral for a friend. Please let those firefighters know how much their kindness meant to me...... And never doubt that each ride is meant for someone.

GOD Bless you all,

Connie Rodgers