Christmas at Work

I haven't had a job at a place that is open over the holidays in over 22 years. I worked at the kids' school for a while of course, but that meant that I had a big long Christmas break just like the kids did. But now at my big-girl hospital job there really isn't a Christmas break. Christmas Eve and Day are both holidays of course, but some people do get assigned to work anyway. Luckily it wasn't my turn for that this year. Probably next year though. I did have to work the day after Christmas, and it was tough to get out of bed!

It was actually kind of fun though. A huge part of our staff had taken most of the week off, so there weren't many of us around. And in my part of the hospital we had very few patients at all. So I helped with the clean up of extra Christmas gifts and the sorting of the donations. Man alive it's overwhelming as well as touching to see the vast number of things that get donated. My coworker Ashley and I were so tired and sweaty by the end of the day.

It's really different to be involved with the hospital at Christmas time. In some ways, it's a lot of fun. A fancy meal or two, staff parties, gorgeous decorations, people decked out in holiday sweaters and hats all the time. A sparkly gift shop. But also, it's sobering. You are witness to a lot of families who have big things going on. It makes the true spirit of Christmas really come through, seeing people in pain and in need. Adds some sobering thought to the holiday, and why I'm really grateful for what we are truly celebrating.