I look down to find one of my favorite sights in the world, the upturned, hopeful face of tiny Glennis Turley, who’s going through her second round of chemo.Somehow, this little girl has smiled through all of it.
She’s one of the strongest, bravest people I’ve ever known.
I drop to my knees and lower my voice into reindeer range.“I’m sorry, little girl, but you must have me confused with someone else.I’m Rudolph, and I have a very shiny snout!”I press my thumb against the button hidden inside my fake-fur paw, which lights up the battery-powered red ball covering my nose.
Glennis giggles.“Okay, Rudolph, but I made a present for Nurse Phoebe, so would you give it to her when you see her?”
“Of course!”I light up my nose once more as I accept the oddly shaped gift that’s wrapped in equal parts transparent tape and green tissue paper.I see that my name is written in crayon on the little gift tag, and it’s spelled “Fee-bee.”
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.“You made this all by yourself?”
She nods proudly.
“Can I have a hug?”I open my arms, and she falls against me.I cradle her, careful not to knock loose the IV at the top of her hand.I remember how darn near impossible it was to get that critter started in the first place.
As I hug her, I look up at Glennis’s parents.Her mom’s eyes fill with tears, and her dad’s jaw is tight as a drum.I smile at them.
“Could you give this one to Nurse Phoebe, as well?”The mom holds out a small box wrapped in sparkly foil holiday paper.“It’s just a very small gift of thanks for being the wonderful person she is.”
Glennis’s father gently peels the little girl from my embrace, and I stand.“You didn’t have to do that,” I whisper.
“I know, Rudolph,” she tells me.“And Phoebe didn’t have to be as sweet and generous as she is with Glennis, so we’re even.”
I accept the gift, blinking away the tears I feel welling in my own eyes.We wish each other a happy holiday, and I watch the Turley family walk away.
“You’re the best, Phoebe.”
I turn to see Ginny, my nursing supervisor, standing next to me, smiling.“You’re our Christmas angel again this year, and I can’t thank you enough for all you do, and for staying late after your double shift.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for anything!”She knows I mean it too, since I’ve told everyone a million times how I learned all I know from the master, my mother, the one and only Izzy Travis, Queen of Christmas.
That woman has always been over-the-top with the holidays—baking, decorating, shopping, more decorating, planning, wrapping, and did I mention decorating?As the only daughter in a houseful of boys, she feels it’s her duty to ensure I can one day carry on with the above-and-beyond traditions.
That’s why every year, I look forward to decorating the pediatric unit for Christmas.I arrange lights and ornaments on the tree.I hang red velvet bows and jingle bells from every hallway and waiting room light fixture I can reach.And I drape evergreen boughs anywhere they’ll let me.
One of my favorite things to do is set out tins of homemade cookies for the hardworking hospital staff, everyone from the custodial team and security guards to the nurses, doctors, and administrators.
But most of all, I’m honored to do whatever small things I can to see these kids happy, if only for a short time.I may not be able to perform a Christmas miracle for them, but I can provide a bit of joy.
Even if it means wearing these goofy antlers.
When I finish with the after-party cleanup, I say goodbye to Ginny, grab my coat and bag, and head for the car.The sun is up, and the sky is clear, and I take a moment to be grateful for this beautiful December morning.
The temperature may be frigid, and the wind may be brisk, but this whole day now stretches out in front of me, opening the door to all kinds of unexpected fun.
I have a feeling that today will be full of wonderful surprises.
CHAPTER 4
Phoebe
And boy oh boy, do I know how lucky I am.I’m lucky in more ways than I can count.But I decide to review the list in my head, anyway.
I’m blessed that Dad’s pain is under control and that his spirits remain high.
I’m fortunate to have my health and the health of my mother and brothers, all five of them.I’m lucky to have my family, my home, my job, my art projects, my cats, dogs, and horses, my friends, and my coworkers.
I’m so glad my oldest brother, Jake, came home yesterday.This year, his hockey team is giving the players ten whole days off for Christmas.Kyle isn’t in the Super Bowl this year, so he’ll be home soon too.Ryder, Bo, and Mason are already back at the ranch.
