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Watch the promo for Channel Ten's The Living Room Christmas special.
- news.com.au
- 27 Nov 2014
- Entertainment
Big surprise ... The Living Room audience were surprised with their Christmas wishes, but it was one little boy’s request of Santa that had everyone in tears. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied
FORGET a shiny red bike or the latest video game — when Santa Claus asked Isaac Zariffa what he wants for Christmas this year, the six-year-old shared a heartbreaking wish that left a room full of strangers in tears.
The plucky youngster from Sydney’s west told the big man in the red suit that all he wanted was to bring his daddy back from heaven so he could meet him.
Tragic ... Peter Zariffa died seven years ago in a horrific car accident. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied
Seven years ago and just days after receiving the happy news that she was pregnant with her first child after trying for so long, Miriam Zariffa’s army veteran husband Peter was killed in an horrific car accident.
Grief-stricken, pregnant and alone, there were plenty of extraordinarily dark moments in the months that followed as she struggled to cope with the unspeakable tragedy, she said.
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“It was horrendous, like a walking nightmare. It felt like my gut had been ripped out of me and my heart just shattered,” she recalled. “The reason I kept going was because of Isaac, because I knew I had to.
Christmas wish ... Miriam and her son Isaac, who broke The Living Room team's heart when he asked Santa to bring his daddy back for Christmas. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied
“If not for Isaac and my faith, I don’t know if I’d be here.”
Isaac never got to meet his father but has for the past few years grown increasingly curious about the man who helped make him.
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When he and his mum were invited by Legacy to attend a taping of Channel Ten lifestyle show The Living Room recently, they never expected the surprise that awaited them.
Served our country ... Peter Zariffa was an army veteran and served in East Timor as a medic and held the rank of captain. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied
Everyone was asked to share their biggest Christmas wish — anything in the world they wanted — and a team of special helpers from online retailer oo.com.au frantically collected the items from their warehouse, wrapped them and delivered them to the studio.
But what Isaac wanted most of all couldn’t be found in any store. He sat on Santa’s lap and said he wanted to meet his daddy and bring him back from heaven to help “make mummy smile”. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Remembering ... While Santa couldn’t grant Issac his wish he did give him a large digital photo frame so pictures of his dad could be displayed in the house. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied
“At his age, he’s becoming more aware of the fact he doesn’t have his daddy but I didn’t realise how much he knew it. It hit home and was quite tear-jerking,” she said.
“In my head I was thinking ‘How are they going to do this?’”
After pondering the request, Santa asked if Isaac had many pictures of his father, who served in East Timor as a medic and held the rank of captain, around the house.
“He explained that we didn’t have very many displayed and Santa said it would be nice if we could,” Miriam said.
Christmas special ... The Living Room team surprise their audience with a swag of special gifts. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied
So the jolly fat man presented little Isaac with the latest digital photo frame, so he can see a constant stream of his dad’s face.
“He also got a go kart and some Lego, which he loved. And I got a push bike, this cute vintage one that’s very cool.”
But it’s the thoughtful gift that celebrates Peter’s memory which takes pride of place.
Christmas helpers ... a team of elves from oo.com.au helped The Living Room quickly source everyone’s big wishes, to be delivered to the studio in time. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied
“He’s just like his father with the traits and humour I knew so well,” Miriam said. “He’s like a miniature Peter. He’s lovely and has a very gentle heart.”
The Living Room’s Christmas special airs tonight at 7.30pm on Channel Ten.
