The clinic staff is abuzz in their Christmas sweaters, the ancient town of St Augustine is alight. Festive spirits are high. It’s a fun place to spend the holidays. Tim, however, isn’t capturing the positive energy. It looks discordant as the nurse in the reindeer headband takes his blood pressure and the treating techs wear snowman and Grinch sweaters. Tim and his daughter have sat solemnly in these seats the past month, as he battles the tough- to- treat pancreatic cancer. So far his symptoms are light if his prognosis is dark.
Meg is Tim’s daughter and as is common in the sandwich generation, torn between caring for her father and her own family. She has three teens and a husband to return to in New Jersey for Christmas and last week she made a bold move. She called her mother. Doris is Tim’s ex-wife who moved to Miami, remarried and a few years ago lost her husband. She is also alone there. Tim and Doris have not reconnected…. until now.
A child’s plea for help is felt in a mother’s heart and so, Doris arrived this week with Tim in tow. She is here to care for her former high school sweetheart during what is likely to be his last Christmas. Even with exciting improvements in pancreatic cancer therapy this year, Tim is in trouble. Doris guides her former love into the room, gently settles him and asks me how she can help. Alot of years have past and yet as I have witnessed before, a “former” loved one emerges to fulfill a vow made in youth, honored years later.
I love that Doris is a take control woman and Tim is silently giving in- probably like he never did before. She is managing the appointments, the meds, the scans, the questions. He is relieved of the burden and grateful. They are both proud of Megan’s efforts but acknowledge that their daughter should return to her own life.
Tim, Doris and Meg remind us that Christmas miracles are real. They start at the heart of each of us when we extend ourselves to help those in need. What a blessing that we can each be that miracle to someone. Yes, it takes God’s hand but it requires your heart. It’s not the tree, the ugly Christmas sweaters, the travel and presents. Christmas, as we all know, is an opportunity to make magic for children, feed someone feeble, listen to a life story, and even with cancer to find the strength for another.
And so, as I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday, let’s make plans to finish this year with a joyous heart and a lasting love. May God bless you and your families this Christmas and let us all continue to pray for peace on earth and goodwill toward all.