In a heartwarming revelation, the true backstory behind the beloved Christmas classic, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, has emerged on social media, making the story even more special. The viral post, shared in the Facebook group "Old Time Christmas Memories," unveils the personal difficulties that inspired Robert May, the author of the book that inspired a song, numerous movies, and countless holiday decorations, to write this iconic tale.

According to the post, it was the late 1930s in Chicago, and Bob May was facing a challenging time in his life. Exhausted and nearly broke, May found himself solely responsible for his four-year-old daughter, Barbara, as his wife, Evelyn, was bedridden, battling cancer. This difficult circumstance led May to create a story for Barbara, explaining why her mother "wasn't like other mommies."

However, despite the post's claim, May himself revealed in a 1975 interview that Rudolph's character was actually based more on himself than anyone else. At the time, May was working as a copywriter at the Montgomery Ward department store in January 1939 when he conceived the idea for Rudolph. In an article published in the Gettysburg Times on December 22, 1975, May reflected on the gloom surrounding his life, stating, "As I hurried on my way to work, I noticed the Christmas Street decorations had been taken down and in a way, I was relieved."

May's wife's illness had dampened his holiday spirit, and he felt as if he were stuck in a perpetual cycle of debt and unfulfilled dreams. Instead of pursuing his ambition of writing the great American novel, May found himself writing catalog copy for men's white shirts, feeling like a perpetual loser.

However, fate had something extraordinary in store for May. On that very day, his boss called him into his office, entrusting him with a special task. May was tasked with creating a story about a reindeer for his daughter Barbara, who had a deep affection for the deer at the zoo. As May contemplated the story, inspiration struck him like a bolt of lightning. Outside, as the fog swirled from Lake Michigan, dimming the streetlights, May conceived the idea of a reindeer with a bright red nose that could guide Santa's sleigh through the fog.

Initially, May's boss was skeptical of the red-nosed reindeer concept. However, once he saw an illustration by May's friend Denver Gillen, he changed his mind. May then delved into writing the story, even as his wife's health deteriorated. Tragically, in July of that year, Evelyn passed away.

Despite his devastating loss, May's boss gave him the option to abandon the project. However, May felt an even greater need for Rudolph's story, seeking solace in its creation. Immersed in writing, May poured his emotions onto the pages, finally completing the story in late August. May shared the story with Barbara and his late wife's parents, witnessing their emotional response. In the Gettysburg Times article, May expressed, "In their eyes, I could see the story had accomplished what I had hoped."

May's creation, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, went on to captivate the hearts of children worldwide, enduring for generations. The story of a reindeer who started life as a loser resonated deeply with May, as he saw parallels between Rudolph and his own struggles. May believed that when Rudolph selflessly gave himself to others, his perceived handicap became the very means by which he achieved happiness.

Tragically, May passed away in 1976, according to the Smithsonian Institute website. However, his legacy lives on through the enduring popularity of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. In its first year of sale, 2.4 million copies of the book were given away, solidifying its status as a beloved Christmas classic.

Reflecting on his creation in the news article, May regarded his annual reward as the arrival of Christmas, knowing that Rudolph's story continues to spread its message of hope and resilience to millions of people, both young and old.

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