Christmas in the hospital is always bittersweet. While the staff does so much to make the holidays happy for the patients, it can never be quite the same as being home. Our crooked plastic tree is covered with bright pink and blue and red plastic bulbs, and while it is inviting, having your own tree, crooked or not, seems to bring a different kind of enjoyment. Santa is no stranger to our unit, he proudly walks from room to room on Christmas morning, handing out coloring books and crayons, little toys and games. This year, though, Santa came a few days early! He arrived on our unit not once this past weekend, but three times! Sponsored by a local business, he came bearing gifts and gifts and gifts ... and more gifts!! Apparently, the "suits" in this corporation decided to donate their holiday bonuses and buy oh so many presents for our sweet children. Santa walked over to one of our kids and asked, "what do you want for Christmas this year?" As "iPod" was spelled out on a communication board, Santa's face grew a happy grin. He said he wasn't able to get an iPod, but wondered if an MP3 player would do. The tremendous smile he got in return was answer enough! So, even though each bed is a little smaller because of the large stuffed Care Bears that have suddenly moved in, the Christmas spirit is alive in our halls. And, so what if these holiday bonuses weren't a huge sacrifice? So what if it was a sales tactic? I guess I'd just like to believe that generosity still exists ... and if it made the children laugh, I'm not really going to spend time questioning it.