Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS — This year's Christmas ad from U.K. retailer John Lewis has done it again.
Every year they release an ad about dreams coming true, but it goes beyond skimming the surface of "what did Santa bring you this year?" The ads are about finding best friends, achieving the seemingly impossible and unwittingly inspiring a massively successful musical career (that one's based on a true story).
This year, their ad doesn't stray from that path, but it has a different angle that adds even more feels to the usual heartwarming conclusion. How? The ad highlights a heartbreaking worldwide reality but with a sweet twist that may make you shed a tear or two.
The video opens on a very middle-aged man who is learning how to ride a skateboard. It seems clear that this man has no business on top of a skateboard. He's wearing his very middle-aged clothes and takes his board to his very "open floor plan" office job with no indication of the "cool guy" skating persona one might expect he'd be trying to affect.
As he learns, he blunders and trips and falls, and you start to worry about his physical well-being. But he is persistent, he is going to ride that skateboard, even if he has to break a bone or two to do it. "Good for him," you might think, or you may shake your head about his lack of self-preservation.
His wife is supportive of his endeavor, and it seems that this man is likely learning to ride to make a boyhood dream come true. You may even start to cheer him on as he finds success.
It's best if no more is said about the story or why he's learning to ride a skateboard. It's best if you grab your most comforting blanket, at least one tissue, and maybe some milk of human kindness before you press play.
