Christmas cheers

What do you consider the best gifts you have ever received for Christmas?

“Anong pangalan mo?” Out of nowhere, a chubby little girl who must be around 6 years old asked me the question. She immediately sat on my lap and wrapped my arm around her waist. Surprised, I responded and couldn’t help but squeeze her tightly while planting a kiss on her head. She then proudly showed me a drawing she had created under the patient guidance of an artist who had offered her services for free upon learning that our pediatric department along with some friends, would be hosting a party for chronically ill children.

“Doktora sasali po siya!” As I turned around, I saw both parents helping their child into a chair. The way he held onto the pencil indicated that he was eager to draw and paint. Noticing his thinning, nearly bald head, uncoordinated movements, and strabismus, I suspected he was suffering from a tumor affecting the central nervous system. At the end of the session, the artist highlighted his work, which was a nearly perfect replica of the Philippine eagle that the group had been tasked to copy. He had painted it in a beautifully appealing blend of browns, using paint made from coffee mixed with water.

“Those are precious to him.” His mom was referring to a stack of neatly folded bus tickets that her child was carrying with him. She shared that her child was diagnosed with special needs but was functional. A sibling was surprised when he singled her out, and carefully peeling some from his collection, gave her several. Probing if she did anything extra for him that made her stand out amongst all the relatives, she said that she didn’t. Those tickets are currently attached via a magnet to her refrigerator door serving as mementos of a child’s unfiltered generosity.

“Pwede pong magpa-picture at magkikita po ba tayo sa party sa January?” This young lady is a far cry from the cranky, spoiled child she was nearly five years ago when she was battling leukemia. Many caring hearts and open hands came together to ensure that she would complete her treatment. To express her gratitude, she and her mom crafted a heartfelt card that briefly told their story and conveyed how thankful they were for the support they received.

Seeing her all grown up brought back memories of another little girl, Shobe, who was almost her exact double. Unfortunately, we lost her to the same condition before her seventh birthday, not from an infectious cause, but from multiple relapses. I have this funny feeling that this young lady is Shobe’s messenger, giving us a glimpse of how she might have looked if she had been allowed to stay.

“Bring these home to your mom; I am sure she would like them.” Happy with the unexpected takeaway, I was excited to rush home. Stepping out of the elevator, I noticed a mother doing her best to comfort her child. I paused and handed over the goodies, knowing that small gifts can often help ease tears. The boy’s face was partially obscured, but when he lifted his head from his mother’s shoulder, I saw that one of his eyes was severely affected by retinoblastoma, a type of cancer. The tears stopped, and the hint of a smile on his face was the best reward.

I am quite sure that you have your own stories to tell, experiences that have made you feel that you have done something right, all because you were able to bring joy and happiness, no matter how brief, especially to people outside of the family circle. Anyone is capable of giving no matter what station in life you may be, whether it be a kind word, a simple gesture of caring or act of selfless service, a helping hand or taking time to listen.

Just the other week, a senior colleague invited a select group of people to his birthday celebration. It was a time of thanksgiving as he had recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer during a routine checkup. While speaking with his daughter, she recounted that the past year had been challenging, but through God’s grace and the kindness of both family and friends, everything came together. I turned to her and said that this was a result of how her parents have been living their lives. Goodness begets goodness.

“Share” is a very powerful word that has been continuously taught to all of us. Its meaning best understood if practiced and lived. Believe that there is enough to go around for everyone if we find it in ourselves to care enough to do so.