Secret Santa Update: How the Rees family is doing one year after their young father died of ALS
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 ต.ค. 2020
- For the past five years, we've been able to help surprise deserving people eastern Idaho with gifts from an anonymous Secret Santa.
Many times we're asked for updates on the recipients so every Thursday, from now until Christmas, we'll be posting an interview with someone who received a Secret Santa gift in the past.
In 2017, we surprised Wyatt and Mindy Rees with a $10,000 check from Secret Santa. Wyatt had been diagnosed with ALS and was confined to his bed. Mindy was taking care of him while raising their four children.
Wyatt passed away a few days after Christmas last year. Mindy continues to press forward and gave us an update in the video player above.
The Rees family was my first exposure to East Idaho News and Secret Santa. Mindy took her wedding vows seriously. She stayed with Wyatt to the end. A strong amazing woman. Wyatt was a lucky man to have such a wife.
She was so amazing with the way she loved and took care of him.
What a wonderful wife he found. Caring and gentle Spirit and just wholesome!!
RIP Wyatt...what a strong family and wonderful woman...East Idaho is full of spectacular community members
I love how Nate gives everyone a chance to tell their story. Sometimes just listening makes all the difference in a persons life.
Yes, Nate is a true gem!
Yes! I noticed that as well.😇
hero as wife and mother.
An amazing woman. I cannot imagine losing a husband at such a young age. May God continue to bless her and her children.
My father had Alzheimer’s and I took care of him at home until the end. I absolutely understand how she mention that she and her kids know he is in a better place and is no longer in pain.
When my father passed it was actually a relief because I knew he was no longer being tormented and he had escaped the fear he lived with.
I always say my father passed away 3 years before his body passed away.
God bless her and her family.
What an Exemplary Young Woman!
She is Totally Beautiful.
With a Selfless Loving, Caring,
Nurturing and Gentle Spirit.
Taking Such Loving Care of her
Beloved Husband and Children.
I Wish She would Write a Book
Detailing Her Experience.
I am Sure it would be a Great Help
To Other People in that Situation.
May God Richly Bless Her and the
Wonderful Children with Good Health,
Prosperity, Love, Joy and Peace.
Love in Christ.❤❤❤
God bless this family she is a very strong woman
❤ Some women are strong, because that is who they are, and they know that they are the only one looking after their children.
They just keep doing what needs tobe done to care for their family.
So many people were touched by Wyatt and Mindy's story. I remember Gentry singing to him around his bed. It meant so much to Wyatt. Thank you for keeping us updated about how Mindy and the children are doing. 🙏💙
This woman counts every blessing as a blessing
The Insight those children have about their father being with them now more than he could be when he was in bed was very moving and emotional for me may God bless you all
Me too.... it reminded me of something similar my brother said when my sister passed away from cancer leaving her 3 kids behind...so beautiful that they could think of this their own
She’s lovely, a pillar of strength.
I LIVE IN GERMANY AND I WATCH THE SECRET SANTA CLIPS.
MORE POWER TO THIS LADY. SHE IS A STRONG WOMAN.
Little children always know what to say to ground us.
Such a strong woman... Bless her ❤❤❤
Wyatt was crying tears of joy knowing it would help his family, which was obviously all he cared for following his departure. So sad...God Bless this family.
I lost my young husband to ALS. The kindness of others is so profound for families living with ALS. I’m grateful to see your story.
My condolences. Hope you feel better
God bless you.
Continued prayers to you and your family.
Through your hardest times you are not alone.
I love that this person who does these donations gets to enjoy these stories.
My dad succumbed to ALS 32 years ago, not much has changed in finding a cure.
I hate seeing young people pass in such a horrendous way, it seems unjust. Wyatt should have walked this Earth for many more years and should have been walking his daughters down the aisle. However, he will always be with those children and he knows he was loved.
Nate is amazing, his empathy and human touch is second to none.
Least he got a few decades, a wonderful wife & kids....on avg every Saturday in USA 10,000 children are cut up or burn alive in the womb
The compassion and love in this family is so encouraging
That's so true but dear not question it God doesn't think like men ... He's in a better place as long as he was saved 🙏😊
@@malibudolphin3109 You’re on the wrong thread.
Wonderful update. Nate, you are truly THE BEST reporter EVER. You report on all things, from happy to sad to tragic and even horrifying crimes, but you give each story a human touch. That is a gift that most people (not to mention journalistic reporters) even have the ability to do. Thank you for all you do.
Friend: "My husband died"
You: "That's wonderful!"
🙄
Beautiful response!!
I lost a friend to ALS such a horrible disease. Sending many blessings your way beautiful young lady.
So happy to see a smile on her face❤️Glad her and the children are doing okay
I'm glad Dad is in heaven so he can be here with us!
Right?! Wow, that hit me hard!
Aww their Dad was so relieved this is just fantastic, and he knows he will have to leave his children & his beautiful wife you can see it in his face , beautiful man in the arms of Jesus 💫❤️💫❤️
I'm glad the children think of their dad & feel like he shares time with them more now he's in Heaven.
Binging on East Idaho Secret Santa stories to remind me how lovely some people in this Troubled World can be! 😇💖
Sharon, I'm right there with you. I enjoy my 20 min car ride to work each morning, as I watch these heart-warming stories I'm again reminded how short life is, but also how wonderful the world we live in can be. ♥️
I am so in love with this channel and the people involved. This has lifted my spirits in so many ways. Thank you to all of the amazing humans involved. ❤❤❤
It's so sad. He was too young. Sorry for your loss.
Thank you for sharing this positive message in spite of such a horrible disease & still no cure. 😢 This woman is amazingly strong. ❤
This was one of the most touching stories. God bless Mindy.
He let go after he knew she and the kids would be ok He seen this when secret Santa came to help! So sorry for your loss, sending our love to you and your family.
To the 3 downvoters you dont have a heart.
Mindy keep going strong you know he's watching down on you and the kids
They like the attention. That’s a wasted comment.
Life is a one time thing. Hope and love is for the rest of your life. I had a seizure for the first time two months ago and woke up in the ER. Never thought I'd be in such a position. Live for you but also live for others.
Seizures are horrible. I have them daily
Prayers for your health. ❤️
My husband also started having seizures 2 years ago. Doctors can’t find out why just that he’s having them. I’m an older wife who now after caring for a handicap Mom for 15 years is back in the caretaker role. But this time it’s different because he makes sure I have a couple days a month for me to do me. Which I hope this lovely wife was able to do for herself and their kids
@@indysilver_02 Much love sent your way. I fell face first to the ground and bled all over the backroom at work. I can't imagine getting them regularly. The doctors said it was due to extreme temperature change for me because I was in a -30 degree F freezer and had alcohol in my system still. Not sure how accurate that diagnosis is but I quit drinking now weeks ago and they don't put me on schedule for the freezer duty anymore. Things are going well. I really feel for you though because that was one of the scariest moments of my life. M.S is a pain for her to deal with already. Damn puts life in perspective. My sister almost died of Spinal Meningitus (prob spelled that wrong) and still goes through weird health issues all the time. Again, MUCH love. I don't pray but I can hope for the best for you and yours.
@@carolynmedlock811 God I feel bad complaining. So far I have been able to go back to using forklifts and climbing ladders at work but if it happens again I don't know what I'll do. All the best to you and your husband. Edit: and your Mom. I gotta just feel lucky nothing worse has happened I guess. Have a great day.
Mindy is beautiful. Sorry for your guys' loss...
Mindy is a very sweet, amazing lady. So strong & capable … especially when she has so much to shoulder. 4 young children & all. Intelligent & articulate too. Praying that they are all doing well.
Thank you Nate!! Hi Mindy!! Sorry about your husband, I can relate with you I rescently lost my husband and son, in the same month!! We have to stay strong, Walk with God, he is there, just believe in him!! Thank you for sharing Mindy!! 🇺🇸🙏⚘✌
Sorry for your loss Lisa. God bless you and yours.
I lost my mother 8 years ago in September and just recently on September 23rd lost my grandmother so unfortunately I feel your pain. Will include you in my prayers. 🙏
@@rocioguillen751 Good morning Rocio, I thank you for your kind words!! You can also relate, losing loved ones!! We are put through many Trials And Tribulations in Life, all we can do is stay with our Faith and goodness in the light of God,🕊and pray🙏each day for strenght to get us through it all!! I am sorry for your loses it's hard, but they would want us to be strong!! We keep their Memories Alive in our hearts all the time!! Our lives move on, but they will never be Forgotten!! Someday, we will see them again!! Happy Sunday!! It's a gift, Life is a gift, that's why it's called a present!! Live for today, not for our yesterdays to have a Great Future!! Take care now!! God🕊is Good!! Have a Great day, fill it with nothing but Goodness!! Many Blessings🌟to you Rocio!! It will All be ok!! Caoa 4 now!!🙏⛄👍
Lisa, please accept my condolences. That is a tough road to walk on but you will persevere. To be able to share is a good thing. I hope our Lord will continue to show his little nuggets of love for you.
@@cggalan3914 Hi cg, I thank you so very much for the Kind🌟 words you said!! It has a road that I do persevere, but I go on with my life the best of my ability, I really do, losing anyone it hurts cause they are not here anymore, that's the saddest😥 part!! Have a Great day cg your a very Kind🌟 person that I send you with Many Blessings🌟 to you and your family!! Thank you again!! Peace!!✌🌟😊
@@lisakvieira9201 I lost my parents several months apart and even though its been a few years, that loss is always felt. But our dear Lord has allowed them to touch us in little ways. We feel their presence from time to time. God bless you always!
What a beautiful soul!
What a wonderful woman. ALS is the one disease I wouldn't want to wish on my worst enemy. It's such a deteriorating disease. Your mind stays the same and aware but your body slowly stops working. I'm glad to hear and see this update and I'm glad to hear her kids know dad is no longer in pain. I saw a family friend go through this and every time we visited she was getting worse. :( I just hope her kids keep an eye on themselves too. It is genetic and I hope they all escape it but I hope they are aware to keep an eye on one another.
An amazing wife and mother! A testament to true love!
Thanks Nate for the update! Mindy, I am sending prayers and loving thoughts to you and your family! The strength and grace you express is inspiring and amazing!
She had an eternal perspective. It can change the grief process.
Mindy Rees & family.. be strong and God always listen to your prayer.
Lots of luv from Malaysia🇲🇾
#TAKECARE
I'm so happy for the children. When she said she can see the relief on her childrens faces, THAT is wonderful. Wyatt is gone but they even recognize that he's no longer suffering and it makes them happy. You literally cant ask for more. I'm sure they miss him but what wonderful hearts to have.💚
This is the kind of woman most of us fellas wanna snag someday! So loyal, smart, pretty, very supportive. Good for her!!! She’s been through a ton. Now she’s taking care of all those kids, single moms are heroes in my eyes.
Sorry about the loss of your husband. You an your kids are doing good
Nate, I love your down to earth, genuine, authentic interaction with the recipients and the audience.
My condolences . Mindy, you are an amazingly strong and courageous woman. Grief is different for everyone. I hope you will experience your feelings hand-in-hand with experiencing life abundantly with your children and friends and whatever else the future brings. I very very much enjoyed listening to you share your experience. 💟☮️
I love how they let her talk. Lettingbit out.
Well so much for not crying! The man in Germany.. what an angel.
I’m watching old Secret Santa videos, after finding them last year. I am crying now. This young woman is so strong. ALS is a horrible disease that takes its victims in the prime of their lives. I hope to see a cure in my lifetime.
Mindy, write a book 📖, i am sure it would help others also who may be in the same situation.❤❤❤ Many blessings.
❤ May God bless this young family during this season of joy. I know angels live among us and for sure their dad will be right near by whenever they need him.
Thank you Nate and Eastern Idaho News for producing content that fills my heart with joy and often my eyes with tears!
Such a touching story and a beautiful young woman with a heart of gold. May God continue to bless her and her children. 🙏💙
Nate you always know exactly what to say. I'm so impressed by the way you handle sensitive issues. You can tell that you have so much compassion in your heart for everyone. God bless you and this incredibly strong young woman and her sweet children 🙏❤️
Thank you Nate for this follow up. Mindy, what a special,young lady you are. Your story is a reminder that we need to live each day to the fullest because our days are numbered, we just don’t know what that number is. Praying that this Christmas season will be so special to you and the kids.
So sad. I lived this story. I am the oldest of 4 boys. My father died 4 days after Christmas of cancer. My mother had struggled to raise us. I am happy to see that someone helped this family.
Amazing woman, when you love someone so much you would take care of that person :)
NO ONE could do this better than the guy that knocks on those doors! What a natural pro!
one of the most beautiful updates I've ever seen. My God, what a journey this lady has been on . She has amazing inner strength and I mean amazing. My wife and I both in tears are so sorry for the suffering. We will say a prayer for the wife and children for a happy life. Thanks for posting such a heartwarming story as these things are hard to come by these dark days
This beautiful catch-up made the back of my eyes sting and now they are leaking! For the sadness of the loss that Mindy and the family have suffered, but also for the sheer guts and determination of the family. Mindy is an inspiration to us all and I hope that I will be able to deal with tragedy in the same way.
Praying for you and your family.💜🙏🏻 ALS is a nightmare and dreadful disease.😔 My stepmother died from it at age 67. I think she endured this disease about 5 years or so. Without knowing what was wrong her symptoms first began in her hands where she could no longer play the piano, harp, saxophone, painting, and gardening. Then later one day when walking the dogs she suddenly fell without any sort of incident. Then she eventually had to use a cane, then a walker, then she no longer could walk so my dad got her a motorized scooter type wheelchair to get around. Then she was only able to eat yogurts, puddings, jello, shakes. She ended up being bedridden and then she passed. It was so sad.
What a strong woman, much love to her family and kids.
Any follow up on that lovely young woman, who was waitressing while her husband was battling cancer? Her story really stood out to me, and my heart just broke when it showed at the end of the segment he had passed away. I always wondered how that young lady was doing.
My wonderful beautiful brother-in-law left us right after Thanksgiving with ALS it was so very sad… God bless you and keep you and your children safe…
What an update. I hope you and your family have peace.
Still a sad outcome, but what a brave family !
Wow Nate you took the words right out of my mouth...strong woman indeed!!! You rock Mindy!!! Your kids will grow up strong and loving because of you and your hubby. Merry Christmas to your family from Western Australia 🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘 it must have been very hard sharing such private moments with the world.🤗🥰🤗🥰
These updates are so important. It really shows the impact Secret Santa, Nate, and his crew have had on their community.
I'm extremely sorry for your loss. Been there.
Thank you for bringing us an update on how Mindi and the kids are doing since Wyatt's passing. I'm happy that they know Wyatt is with them.
Nate Eaton I must compliment you on you people and interview skills. This was a great example of listening rather than asking more questions. The discipline and respect you have of the people you interview is apparent. I appreciated your skills in the Missing 411 documentary. I had never heard of you prior to the 411 show although although there is a radio station guy in Butte Mt that I listen to that sounds and behaves familiarly similar to yourself. thank you
I got to know Nate through his coverage of the DeOrr Kunz case. He kept the spirit of DeOrr alive and is an incredibly compassionate journalist.
I love watching Nat and his workers blessing people in need and hurting. I also thank God for touching secret Santa heart and him obeying God to do this. I cry a lot watching this i look forward to this every day. Thank you guys. God bless.
This made me cry , I didn’t know this happens in Idaho as I live in Greece. 👏👏👏👏
God Bless your heart ❤♥ 🙏. Sending lots and lots of love, hugs and healing prayers
Mindy..sad for your loss and the childrens loss for your Beloved Wyatt's passing.Jesus received him..in his loving arms..and you will see him again when it's God's time.🙌😘💕💕💕💕💕
This is an incredible woman!!!! If there is a God keeping score ,please bless her and take care of her husband !!
What a strong, caring, and loving young lady. It was great for Wyatt to have her in his life. She is a blessing to her family and community. All the best to you In the future Mindi, this world needs more people like you.
I’m am so sorry for your loss of your dear husband Wyatt. I recall your story and watched your first video, and now this follow up. Wyatt and you touched so many hearts. Wyatt will be missed deeply.
RIP
🕊🕊WYATT REES🕊🕊
Wow, she’s got some amazing energy. I would like about 10% of that amount of it. She’s inspiring and I think her kids are lucky to have her as a mom!
Mindy, when I lost my father, I had a special friend tell me that she would see me 1 year to the day he passed. She wanted to give me huge hug to celebrate that my year of "firsts" were over. All of the Holidays, birthdays and memorable moments that I missed him and ached over his absence would be lessened just a little bit. She was there and as promised I received the most loving hug of my life. I am not going to say that the grief ended because the firsts were over, but I knew if I made it through that year, I could make it through another.
Merry Christmas and please consider yourself hugged on December 30th for the end of you and your families' firsts. 🙏
What an amazing, selfless and strong woman. Continued blessings.
She is so true to do everything for her husband am sorry to hear that her husband is rest in peace now God bless them
Nate, these stories are so needed right now. So much hate in the world right now. Thank you for this update and for everything that you and the secret Santa!
GOD IS SOOO GREAT!!!! LOVE TO THIS FAMILY!! NATE YOU ARE AMAZING!!!
God is amazing to have that man have such the amazing girl him and his family needs! She is amazing! 👏🏼❤️
What a sweet lady. I hope she continues to be able to draw on the strength she has shown us and her children prosper in life.
I'm really enjoying all of the "update" videos! All of these people are still so grateful and have healed in ways I wouldn't have thought possible. Thank you Secret Santa! The difference you are making is creating waves that are reaching far beyond just these families!
So glad she and the children are doing well
Christmas 2022 is fast approaching and this video is still touching lives. I broke down crying hearing her talk about the man from Germany who also had ALS and knew he was going to die..how he msg her telling her he would look for her husband in Heaven...
She is an amazing woman.
Such a great family. And her comments will help others in their time of trouble.
What a wonderful, strong woman and a great mother. Thanks to East Idaho News and Nate for helping this family through such trying times.
Prayers for Mindy, the children and the family.
Prayers to You, Your Children & Family. May Your Husband R.I.P.😇
What a strong woman! With losing her husband at such a young age and young children. I had my husband for 6 years with me and my boys before he passed unexpectedly! He had been sick with breathing problems before we meet but was pretty healthy. He had been in the hospital with double pneumonia but had been home for a while. I am pretty sure he knew he was sicker than he let in to anyone. My mon and I kind of saw it. We had gone to get my son from work and he said he was not feeling well and told me to call the ambulance. He had a massive heart attack snd died in the parking lot at my Jon’s work place. My joys had left to walk to the schools football game. I went to the hospital he was to go to and he was not there. Do I called and wa told he was at another one. I got back to my car and went there but something told me to call my oldest son who lives with my folks about a mile from us to go with me. I had a feeling the news was not going to be good. This was a Friday night. We had found out his older brother had died on Sunday night, of that week. Not a good week. By the time my Don snd I got there we were out in a private small waiting room. We knew it was bad! 2 doctors snd a nurse came to talk to us. And told us they did all they could but he was gone. Not real nice to hear but had to be said! We went to see him and called his daughters snd sister to tell them. His daughters came up. They both live a bit of a distance away. One about 30 miles away and the other about 59 miles. It was not a really good thing. They came back to the house. I had to call my boys snd have them come hone too snd they cried like he was their dad not step dad! He was. Great man, husband and Dad! He is greatly missed even 4 years later. Hod bless that family we know how it is to loose a great man in our life too!
my heart goes out to yall Mindy so much xxxx ive seen ppl i love suffer it and thats hard when we cant do anything, but yall n secret santa gave Wyatt great memories and hes there with yall watching over
What a special story! I think he will be close by this holiday season.
Glad her and the kids are doing well!
God bless that family.
Thanks for the updates. Mindys beautiful ♥️
My heart is broken for this family. What a sweet and uplifting spirit the mom has. Wish there was something I could do to help.
Have the MC send you down one of their great big fat porous snores 12 cent sandwich eaten biker b**** that'll help you out bye Christmas Mary I don't have Christmases I'm Jehovah now
I remember this totally heart wrenching