Kelly is a sweet reader who does amazing work with at Seattle Children’s Hospital.  She wanted to share a bit about that with you.

She has a new blog called Sassy Diaries…check it out!

Don’t forget to my Christmas gift giveaway picked with love.

Deadline is Christmas Eve at Midnight.

Its drawing closer! The lights are up, the tree is decorated, and the smell of cookies is wafting through the house. All around us are the signs and smells of the holiday season in full swing. Shoppers are shopping, carolers are caroling… well, you get the idea. I stop and look around and realize that I am guilty of taking this for granted. As many of us do.

But what do you do if you are a child, and you are sick? No one wants to be in the position that their child is facing a potentially life threatening condition. And these feelings are only exaggerated during this most special time of year. Yet for many families in the Pacific Northwest this is an all too real scenario.

I am Kelly. I am a nurse. I work at Seattle Children’s Hospital, and I am lucky. Each holiday season I get to be moved by the magic that is Christmas in the hospital.

Every year there are hundreds of children, and their family members that are forced to spend the holidays at our facility. Away from their friends and families. One would think that they may have little around them to remind them that the special day we are all celebrating on the outside is different from any other. That is where our little story takes a turn!

For every December the Christmas magic starts stirring within the halls of Seattle Children’s Hospital. Donations of toys and books and games are being made, Elves are wrapping, and Santa Clause is getting ready. For many years now it has been the tradition of one doctor, Dr. John Neff, to dress up as Santa on Christmas day and visit all the children in the facility.

In his words, “The children who are here on Christmas Day are too sick to be home,” John explains. “It’s exceedingly important for them, and for their families, to have an opportunity to participate in a celebration here at the hospital. A few of these children won’t make it home, and for those under one year of age, it is their very first Christmas celebration. For any family, being in the hospital during the holidays is very difficult. But, helping the child feel a part of this joyous family celebration contributes to the child’s healing process.”

This is a sight to behold. There is never a dry eye in the house. With his jolly banter he delivers a wrapped toy to each child as staff and family members stand back and marvel.

Not every family celebrates the “Christmas” holiday, but on this special day, in our special little hospital that doesn’t seem to matter. Everyone comes together to bring a spark of magic to these little faces. There is laughter, and gratitude and downright chaos, yet at this time of year I can’t think of any place that I would rather be. To be a part of the process that makes the holiday season for these families is the gift that lasts a lifetime.

Just a little story to brighten your holiday season!

Merry Christmas to all!