Christmas at the Home, part 2

Sheesh, so far, as of this afternoon, there have been AT LEAST several caroling groups, a company whose employees brought tons of food and a DJ for wheelchair dancing (I wish I could show pics of that, but too many kids' faces are visible for my comfort), smaller groups all bearing gifts, and 4, count 'em 4, Santas. EVERYONE wants to come to the Home this time of year. All wanting to bring a smile to our kids' li'l faces. So many that we have to make them take a number.
Not really, but you know what I mean.

I told you about our best secret Santa in my last post. In addition to all those gifts, every group that comes showers us with more generosity. We are grateful for all the assistance we can get. Here is just a small (seriously) sampling of the bounty our kids will receive...




All this in the midst of rampant illness among the children. Until this week, 2 of the 4 units had these signs on the doors...

Gown, gloves, and a mask just to go in, no matter what you need to do.

Now, the sign is only on 1 of the 4 units, but all of the others still want to keep their doors closed as a precaution. We don't mess around when there is flu and strep in the building. Our kids are too important.

Today was a highlight for us. The Norfolk office of the Army Corps of Engineers has a group of employees that has formed a chorus, and they have been coming to St. Mary's (Hey Sonja - Google Alerts!!) since long before the first time I worked at the Home back in '92.




They are excellent, singing carols in 4-part harmony, but the best moment, the moment that makes us all feel that Christmas has really come, is when they sing their last number. "Someday at Christmas" (you can hear it here). I cry every time. Here are the words, by Stevie Wonder, in case you want to take them to heart:

Someday at Christmas men won't be boys
Playing with bombs like kids play with toys
One warm December our hearts will see
A world where men are free

Someday at Christmas there'll be no wars
When we have learned what Christmas is for
When we have found what life's really worth
There'll be peace on earth

Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime

Someday at Christmas we'll see a land
No hungry children, no empty hand
One happy morning people will share
A world where people care

Someday at Christmas there'll be no tears
All men are equal and no man has fears
One shining moment my heart ran away
From our world today

Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime

Someday at Christmas man will not fail
Hate will be gone and love will prevail
Someday a new world where we can start
With hope in every heart

Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime
Someday at Christmastime

Christmas at the Home

The holidays are always fun when you work at a pediatric facility. Lots of stuff going on:
visitors caroling, parties, Santa's visit, gifts galore.

Let's face it, disabled children are pretty irresistible at Christmas. I don't mean that in any cynical way at all, that's just the way it is. I'm glad though, because our kids need so much.

Let me tell you about the best secret Santa of all.

Click here and you will see our kids' wish lists for Christmas. So many people want to donate and give, but in well-meaning benevolence, some of the gifts that we receive are not
appropriate for our population due to their medical issues, hence the wish lists.

Anyway, here is the story I got today.

An anonymous benefactor, who obviously has some knowledge of St. Mary's, saw the wish lists and told her husband that she didn't want any gifts for Christmas. She just wanted to get gifts for the kids. So she got gifts for the kids. She got each child everything on their list.

Everything.

I want to find this woman and hug & kiss her.

That kind of humbling generosity is rare & precious.
Our kids thank her.
I thank her.
The entire staff thanks her.

Merry Christmas Mr & Mrs. Claus.

ps - if you want to see more about the Home, click here and go to the video at the bottom of the page. Our parents say it better than I ever could.