Several years ago I was working as a new LPN on a busy Med-Surg unit in a small town in Northern Minnesota. As you can probably guess, we dealt with a lot of blizzards and bad winter weather more often than we like.
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I was working the day shift on Christmas Eve when a very dangerous blizzard began that morning. The roads leading to our small town hospital were closing and most of the pm staff were calling in due to dangerous driving conditions.
Well, of course I had plans to be with my family that evening but reluctantly agreed to stay and work the pm shift. My daughter was only 3 years old and my fiance was going to surprise her that night with a Santa costume. We planned to set up a scene where she "catches" him putting gifts under the tree. I called and told him that I would be home very late and hopefully we could still pull this off.
Meanwhile, neither the weather or a holiday can stop sick people from being admitted to our floor. Right around 4pm, a young boy about 4 or 5 was admitted with a rare disease I fail now to recall but something he had eaten made him very ill and had been vomiting and unable to eat for a few days. By the time he was admitted, he was very dehydrated and limp. The parents were exhausted and of course very worried. When we were admitting him, he weakly looked over at his parents and said "how is Santa going to find me here?" His mother was unable to think of anything to say and started crying. The mentioning of Santa reminded me of what I was possibly going to miss out on. I then thought to myself, how selfish I was, my baby was home safe and healthy. These parents are spending Christmas in a hospital room with a very ill little boy to worry about. That's when I had a great idea.
I asked the parents if they could step out into the hallway for a minute. I told them how sorry I was about their son, and how I might be able to produce a "Santa" if they would like. They both happily agreed and mentioned that they just happened to have brought his presents with in case he was admitted to the hospital. We decided to find the best one and have my Santa bring it into the room that evening.
I called home and talked to my fiance. I mentioned the situation and realized I never even asked him, I just knew he would do it. He was more than happy to do it. We arranged with our family to take our daughter for a couple hours while he did this. Remember too, there was a horrible blizzard going on outside.
As the evening came, the little boy had numerous emesis and was so weak he could barely open his eyes.
Around 9pm, in strolled Santa. He really hammed it up and even brought candy for all the nurses and staff working that night. The little boy's parents were thrilled to see him and the mom gave him a hug, then the present. We all stood outside the door when Santa walked into the little boy's room and loudly said "Ho Ho Ho!" The little boy woke up and said "Santa! Is that really you?" He then sat up and gave Santa a big hug. Let me tell you, there was not a dry eye in the place when we saw that touching moment! Santa gave him the gift and sat with him for long time just talking and telling him that he will be fine, Santa just knows these things.
Santa came out and the parents where very thankful for his help. The rest of the night the little boy perked up and played with his new toy and had to tell everyone Santa came to see him, and that he was going to get better fast!
For years after this, especially around Christmas, the nurses still asked me what it is like to be married to Santa.
