Navy sailor makes it home for Christmas

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Three days after her son Macon Helton arrived home, Kim James still has tears in her eyes.

Helton, a Navy seaman, surprised her and the rest of his family for Christmas.

“This year, with him being here, it’s really, really special,” said Helton’s grandmother, Carolyn James.

Helton has been in the United States Navy four years and originally wasn’t going to make it home for the holiday. That was until he got news his ship may be arriving earlier than scheduled.

“It was just an immediate sigh of relief. I can’t believe this is going to happen. The first thing that came to mind is I might actually be able to be home for Christmas,” Helton said.

To make the arrival a memorable one, Helton didn’t tell his family he was coming.

“I got up, drug myself to the door and there was Macon and I ran out with my house coat on and bear hugged him and brought him in. That was a great surprise, it really was,” said Helton’s grandmother.

The family said the real fun starts around 5 p.m. Christmas day when the rest of their extended family arrives and wrapping paper starts flying. That’s when everyone gets to open presents.

“It’s complete chaos,” Helton said.

Chaos the family loves because it means they’re together.

“You just don’t get to go home for holidays and sometimes it’s a burden but it’s something you have to sacrifice,” said Helton. “Spending time with family, that’s all I plan to do, just enjoying the time I have.”