For many, Christmas is also a time for coming together. But for others, service will come first. – Queen Elizabeth II

Up at 0600. Showered and dressed. Going over the river and through the woods? No. Going down I-5 and over the Marquam Bridge to work. Yes, today I’m one of the lucky ones that gets to work on Christmas Day. Yuck, right? That’s what I thought last night as I was sitting in front of the fire after a wonderful dinner.
I walked through the NICU door and was greeted by smiles and “Merry Christmas” from people in the same boat as me. “Stuck” at work on Christmas when we just want to be home. We have tried to infuse the unit and hospital with holiday cheer for our patients and families. At the same time it has made us feel a little more Christmas-y. There are more smiles and jokes today.
It won’t take the place of being with the family for gifts and breakfast. Or playing with that new gadget. Or watching “Christmas Vacation” or “Love Actually”.
That’s when it dawned on me that it’s really not so bad.
Merry Christmas from TikiBear!