Senior caregivers tackle holiday challenges

Globe Santa and helpers Julie Shamrock (left), Robin Samora, and Jack Mutrie worked yesterday to raise donations for needy children at Boston's Langham Hotel in Post Office Square. (zara tzanev for the boston globe)

"Here I am in the same situation," writes a grandmother from Medford, "very low income, lots of bills, and taking care of the smartest and most tender child I've ever met."

While many older adults look forward to a retirement filled with relaxing vacations, gardening, or maybe getting around to all those great books they meant to read, many Boston-area seniors today are also facing a decidedly different future: raising grandchildren while coping with their own financial struggles or declining health.

And while one might expect some natural resentment toward such a challenging situation, Globe Santa is always startled by the generous, gracious, and loving attitudes of grandparents like the woman from Medford for whom vacations and relaxation are unlikely, especially with a 5-year-old in tow.

In her letter, the grandmother goes on to describe in loving detail her 5-year-old grandson's interest in geography, art, and sports. "He loves cars and trucks, but prefers trains," she explains, "and he absolutely loves big floor puzzles and painting with water colors." You can practically see her beaming with pride when you read her brief and carefully written letter to Globe Santa.

Meanwhile, a grandmother from Quincy writes that she has had custody of her 3-year-old grandson since he was just 3 months old. The woman, who is disabled, states at the beginning of her letter that "all my children are grown so it's been a pleasure to raise my grandson even though my illness is becoming worse."

Chasing after a 3-year-old is a full-time job for younger and more able-bodied caregivers and one can't help but wonder how she manages.

Indeed, the Quincy woman's journey hasn't been an easy one, especially lately. During the past three years she writes that she has battled homelessness, domestic violence, declining health, and the death of a loved one. But her biggest concern right now is a happy Christmas for her grandson.

"It would give a lot of joy and happiness to receive any help from you, Globe Santa," she wrote in a letter sent last month.

"The boy likes sports a lot and would be grateful for any kind of ball dealing with sports. He also enjoys puzzles and playing with cars and trucks."

Globe Santa will put both boys on his list, along with children in more than 24,000 other families from Eastern Massachusetts asking for his help this holiday season.

The work of Globe Santa, thanks to the generosity of Globe Santa's Friends, has become for 51 years a beloved holiday tradition. Last year, the program provided gifts for 54,077 children in 27,833 families.