Christmas takes on a different feel for the people who keep essential services running… I’ve been experiencing the holidays differently as a nurse for over 15 years now. For me, it’s no longer a concern; I’m used to it, and so are my kids. My family is okay with moving our Christmas dinner to December 27, and my kids just get to have one more party—what a drama!!!
Of course, there have been times when I’ve felt sad about missing a family gathering or a magical moment with Santa, but in exchange, I’ve been treated to the heartwarming stories—so beautifully told by my boyfriend—about my daughter’s joy when she unwrapped her gift from Grandma, or the stars in my son’s eyes when he discovered his super-loud truck (thanks, godmother!!!)…
I haven’t celebrated Christmas on the actual date for several years now, and this year, once again, I’ll be with my second family, busy helping moms bring their baby(ies) into the world. I’m lucky, because the people who’ll be by my side are people I love—a close-knit and extraordinary team. I also know, though, that I’ll have a little lump in my throat when one of my colleagues, a new mom, sheds a tear over missing her youngest’s first Christmas, or when another knows full well that she’s missing her mom’s last one…
Every time my boyfriend leaves with the kids for his Christmas dinner while I’m about to head off to work, I’m overcome by a feeling of loneliness. It goes away quickly once I get to work, though, when I get the chance to stuff myself with jelly beans and Christmas desserts (well, you’ve got to spice things up a little!). I can’t help but think of the police officers patrolling in pairs in their patrol cars, the paramedics, the night staff at a senior care center, the security guards, the firefighters on call, or worse yet, the soldiers on a mission…
When you’re enjoying your meal—whether it’s caviar or little crustless sandwiches;
When you receive your Secret Santa gift—whether it’s a spa package or some junk that’ll just gather dust;
When you put on your finest clothes or your tacky Christmas sweater;
When you pop open bottles of champagne or cheap sparkling wine;
When you’re having a good time with friends or family…
Just take a moment to say thank you for having the chance to be with your loved ones, because many of my colleagues would much rather be eating crustless sandwiches in their tacky Christmas sweaters than be separated from their families.
If you end up at the hospital, if some jerk tries to wreck your car, if Grandpa has a medical emergency on Christmas Eve, just take 30 seconds to thank the first responders—they probably want to be with their families too, but they’ll have to fill out a report, transport Grandpa, and take care of him, and, you know, they’ll do it with all their heart!!!
I want to use a couple of lines in this column to thank my OB team at the C.H.U.L. for being such an amazing second family!!! The holidays will be joyful with you all by my side!