Last week I turned on my fireplace, dusted off my favorite pair of
boots, and now a big fat pumpkin welcomes guest who arrive at my
doorstep. Just as the excitement of the seasons changing warms my
heart suddenly panic hits… ack, the holiday season is less than two
months away! What will be my signature gift this year? Do I have
enough time to make my own cards? Who will be hosting Thanksgiving?
Can I really lose 5 pounds by New Years?
In the midst of sugarplum ferries dancing in my head I begin to think
back to last holiday season. I was working at Rady Children’s
Hospital. Believe it or not, the holidays were my favorite time of
year at the hospital. I know, I must sound emotionally disturbed to
find happiness in a hospital…especially a children’s hospital at
Christmastime. It’s hard for me to put this into writing, but let me
try to explain. There was something really magical about the hospital
thanks to our amazing community and wonderful volunteers and staff
who bring the spirit and aesthetic of the season to the children it
serves. Some days it felt like you were part of Santa’s workshop. The
nurses’ stations were decorated for the season and child life
specialists were busy gathering donations to make sure that no child
was forgotten on Christmas morning. Thanksgiving dinner was prepared
in the cafeteria and holiday crafts were created in the playroom.
Throughout the year, the hospital has special visitors approved to
provide entertainment for it’s young patients. The past eight
years Children’s Holiday Magic Project would deliver their annual CD called,
Holiday Magic, A Gift for Children of All Ages!
My team would walk aside this group singing songs and pulling a red wagon
filled with CD’s- passing one out to every single patient! There is
something magical about music that provides calm in the storm, a break
from the worry, and it’s almost impossible not to smile when you see a
group of grown men and women singing a song about a bear hug. As I
reflect on the smiles that group brought to families it puts my
trivial worries of presents, turkey dinner and weight loss into
perspective. There will be more than 200 kids who spend one of the
many upcoming holidays in the San Diego hospital, but there is so much peace in
knowing that it’s the little things, like a magical CD and the love of the
volunteers who create it that makes it a little brighter.
Written by: Annie Evans
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