It wasn't until I read my student counselor, Mr. Alzurgary's message, "Jeff, congratulations! You had me worried..." that I began to consider the possibility that the latter explanation for Mr. DeRosa's comment held more truth.

Now, 36 years later, Mr. DeRosa's request for a copy of my first book is coming true. During this time, I experienced fatherhood to five children, the youngest being 16. It included my active involvement in various community roles, such as serving as a Sunday School teacher, a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader, and a Camp Buddy at a summer camp for youth with special needs and challenges. More recently, my work as a Registered Behavior Technician at an ABA Therapy center, where I support children between the ages of 3 and 7 on the Autism Spectrum. I have also found myself frequently mistaken as Santa Claus by random children at the grocery store.

I have discovered that my greatest joy and fulfillment comes from serving others, especially children and young adults. My soul rejuvenates when I hear their laughter and witness their growth in acquiring new skills and gaining confidence. This is why I have chosen to embrace the persona of Santa Jeff.

It is the culmination of these life experiences, along with those still to come, and my desire to exemplify love, service, compassion, inclusion, and advocacy for individuals with special needs and challenges that provide the foundation for my stories.

I believe that being a good writer doesn't necessarily require degrees and certificates; In my case it stems from life experiences, utilizing a reliable spell and grammar checker, and working with a patient editor.