This is incredibly emotional, highlighting the struggles and resilience of a father who has endured significant hardship. When the news reporter informs him, that Christmas has arrived early, it’s likely an overwhelming moment for him.
Dakota Nelson and his wife, Ream, seemed to have a life filled with promise and happiness. Their marriage was not just a union but a partnership that exceeded their dreams. Ream, with her intelligence, attractiveness, and compassion, was the perfect partner for Dakota. Together, they built a life centered around love, family, and shared values, blessed with the joy of raising seven wonderful children. Their relationship and family life were more fulfilling than they envisioned, creating a home filled with love and mutual admiration.
Dakota and his seven children are set to experience a Christmas like no other this year. Their lives were upended when Ream, Dakota’s wife, suffered an unexpected heart attack in July 2018, marking a moment that would haunt them forever.
Dakota recalls that he and his wife were enjoying themselves in their garage when he needed to put away some equipment. However, when he returned, he discovered his 38-year-old wife, Ream, lying on the ground outside their home.
In the brief five minutes that he was away, Dakota came back to a shocking scene: his wife was on the ground, turning blue, and no longer breathing. He desperately attempted to perform CPR on her lifeless body while their 11-year-old son called 911.
Nelson told East Idaho News, “We were having a great time in the garage, but when I returned, I found her on the ground.”
He continued, “It’s difficult to put into words how it felt to see my beloved wife, whom I’ve cherished deeply over our 17 years together, lying on the floor with her eyes open and unresponsive, while our three-year-old was standing over her.”
Medical professionals estimated that her brain was deprived of oxygen for about twenty minutes. She remained in a coma for several weeks before passing away in September.
Dakota suddenly found himself solely responsible for raising his seven children, who ranged in age from one to sixteen. He had no idea how he would manage to pay the bills or support his family. On top of that, Dakota and Ream did not have health insurance because their income was too high to qualify for Medicaid, yet they couldn’t afford the premiums for private insurance.
The burden of grief and responsibility that Dakota carried is unimaginable. Despite being in shock and mourning the unexpected loss of his beloved wife, Dakota had to find a way to provide for his family, working three part-time jobs to stay financially afloat.
Despite their ongoing grief over the loss of their loved one, the family will have a reason to smile this Christmas. The tragic situation of the Nelson family caught the attention of a generous “Secret Santa” who chose to remain anonymous. To bring some holiday joy to Dakota’s family, this kind-hearted individual did something extraordinary for them.
A generous “Secret Santa” sent Dakota and his family a gift that was both unique and incredibly helpful, all made possible through the local news station, East Idaho News.
Dakota, dressed in his suit and surrounded by his children when he received the meaningful gift from the anonymous donor, was overwhelmed with emotion.
“You are important to many people, and they all care about you,” the local newscaster told the grieving Dakota.
The newscaster then handed him a gift basket containing two gift cards, each worth $1,000, along with a check for $8,000. Dakota was overwhelmed by the generosity and couldn’t find the words to fully express his gratitude for the much-needed support. His jaw dropped when he saw the zeros on the check, and he was so moved that he began to cry as the reality of the gift sank in.
Although Christmas without their beloved wife and mother will never be as warm or joyful as it once was, the $10,000 Dakota and his children received should be enough to ensure they have something special to celebrate this year.
The realization that they are not alone in their struggles brings a comforting warmth to their hearts. No amount of money can ever fill the void left by Ream Nelson’s passing. If you’d like to help Dakota and his seven children as they work to rebuild their lives, you can contribute to the GoFundMe page set up by Ream’s sister.
Watch Dakota’s emotional reaction after receiving the “Secret Santa” gift in the video below. As a single parent, Dakota is now responsible for caring for his seven wonderful children and must remain strong. We hope that their story reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas—to celebrate together and uplift one another.
