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February 2008 
Double Top Secret (shield the Children)
Posted on Dec 28th, 2006
by 
Bobbo
Bobbo
At least the young ones :) - I want to get this posted since the week is nearly gone!
Somewhere along the line, I got coaxed into playing Santa Claus. It began 15 years ago and I'd reckon I've worn the crazy red suit a half dozen times. My wife is a pediatric nurse and it started with me making the rounds on Christmas when she worked. The kids I visit are at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital in the town I call home. Some are real sick.
As the day approached, this year was a little different. Number 1 - she wasn't working (thought I might get out of it :) Number 2 - the hospital sprung for a new suit (the old one was getting quite ripe) and Number 3 - I hadn't made my annual trek to watch the real Santa hold the little rascals on his lap. Always on the look out for tips, I MUST watch the terror on a previously "I'm in charge!" 3 year old. It ain't Christmas without it. None of this has much to do with the joy I experience each year but makes for part of a good story.
But this year I experienced a first! Santa got his picture taken with a cell phone - can you imagine?!?! We (or the staff) are not allowed to take pictures of kids but parents and/or guardians can - privacy thing, don't you know. As if Santa doesn't know everything anyway HA! (at the very least whose been naughty or nice)... As I strolled into the room here's a 1year old dressed in the most darling deep red Xmas outfit. We had passed her mom in the hall a little earlier. Mom wasn't feeling all that thrilled about another day in the hospital. But Santa walks in? Land sakes, do eyes light up. She says "Can I take your picture?" "Ho! Ho! Ho! - of course!" and then she says "Here!"
Now I don't know about you, but when someone says "here" my arms open up - at the very least my hand does (try it) - and I'm expecting something. You guessed it - this something was the baby. Mom snatched her up and almost tossed her into my arms. I guess I should have figured whe wanted a picture of Santa AND the baby. Of course, my arms were full of packages for the wee one. I fumbled those away and got to hold her. And was that beard a fascination for her - I think she even smiled.
My joy for this week - and this season - is the look on sick kids faces when Santa shows up. And the gratitude I have for health care workers who watch over the tykes. But also for the great stories it creates.
Happy New Year to all -
A Christmas Story (with a little joy)
Somewhere along the line, I got coaxed into playing Santa Claus. It began 15 years ago and I'd reckon I've worn the crazy red suit a half dozen times. My wife is a pediatric nurse and it started with me making the rounds on Christmas when she worked. The kids I visit are at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital in the town I call home. Some are real sick.
As the day approached, this year was a little different. Number 1 - she wasn't working (thought I might get out of it :) Number 2 - the hospital sprung for a new suit (the old one was getting quite ripe) and Number 3 - I hadn't made my annual trek to watch the real Santa hold the little rascals on his lap. Always on the look out for tips, I MUST watch the terror on a previously "I'm in charge!" 3 year old. It ain't Christmas without it. None of this has much to do with the joy I experience each year but makes for part of a good story.
But this year I experienced a first! Santa got his picture taken with a cell phone - can you imagine?!?! We (or the staff) are not allowed to take pictures of kids but parents and/or guardians can - privacy thing, don't you know. As if Santa doesn't know everything anyway HA! (at the very least whose been naughty or nice)... As I strolled into the room here's a 1year old dressed in the most darling deep red Xmas outfit. We had passed her mom in the hall a little earlier. Mom wasn't feeling all that thrilled about another day in the hospital. But Santa walks in? Land sakes, do eyes light up. She says "Can I take your picture?" "Ho! Ho! Ho! - of course!" and then she says "Here!"
Now I don't know about you, but when someone says "here" my arms open up - at the very least my hand does (try it) - and I'm expecting something. You guessed it - this something was the baby. Mom snatched her up and almost tossed her into my arms. I guess I should have figured whe wanted a picture of Santa AND the baby. Of course, my arms were full of packages for the wee one. I fumbled those away and got to hold her. And was that beard a fascination for her - I think she even smiled.
My joy for this week - and this season - is the look on sick kids faces when Santa shows up. And the gratitude I have for health care workers who watch over the tykes. But also for the great stories it creates.
Happy New Year to all -
Access: Public
Bobbo,
That story and experience is THE joy of my day - tottally made it! Thank YOU!
And it also made me wish to some day be the female Santa, have you met one yet? :)
It would be great if you can share that cell picture with us - I can only imagine our joyful smiles!
Darina :)
Thank you and Happy New Year
Samme
thank you Darina - You have spread so much joy it flows back to you in torrents. Alas, the cell picture is in the mother's possession - Santa will likely never see it (or her) again. Isn't that a bit how magic works? :) So far I've not met a female Santa and YOU would be a great one. The number one qualification? To have discovered tis better to give than to receive - and YOU are a living example. Blessings upon you -
Bob :)