“Father, you summoned me,” said Gabriel.
“Yes, Gabriel, I need you to go to Indiana. There is a hospital in Indianapolis called Riley Hospital For Children,” answered the Father.
“Who am I to see there?”
“It is not who but whom,” came the reply.
“I don’t understand,” said Gabriel.
“You will, in due time, you will.”
Gabriel entered the hospital carrying a duffle bag. Going to the front desk, he spoke to the receptionist.
“Hello, my name is Gabriel Servant. I’m the new pediatrician.”
“Yes, Mr. Servant, we’ve been expecting you,” she replied.
“Where can I change into my scrubs?”
“Downstairs is the locker room and showers,” she answered.
“Thank you,” Gabriel smiled and headed for the elevators. Once inside, he pushed the Lower Level button. It started downward and he hit the emergency stop button.
“Father, I’m here. Now what?” he asked.
“I want you to go to the terminally ill floor. Prepare yourself for what you will see. You will know what to do when you get there.”
“Yes, Father, as you wish.”
Gabriel found an empty locker, changed into his scrubs, put his name tag on his shirt, and went out into the hall next to the elevators. The marquis told him what floor he needed. He pushed the elevator button and was taken to the floor. He went to the nurse’s station and introduced himself.
“Who is in charge of the floor?” he asked.
“Amanda is her name,” came the reply.
“I’m the new pediatrician. I would like to talk to her, please.”
“She’s coming this way right now. There she is,” the nurse pointed.
“Amanda?” he asked as he flagged her down, “I’m the new pediatrician. Name’s Gabriel, can we talk for a minute, please.”
“Sure, I’ve got a free moment. What do you want to know?”
“How about telling me a little bit about yourself,” he asked.
Taken back by the question, she thought for a moment and answered, “I guess so, what do you want to know?”
“How long have you been here?”
“Going on fifteen years,” she answered.
“That’s a long time. How about showing me around while we talk?” he asked.
“Certainly, follow me,” she answered while motioning for him to follow.
Grabbing a handful of medical charts from the nurse’s station, he followed her.
Entering the first room, she spoke softly, “This is Jeremy.”
Gabriel glanced at his chart. He saw the word leukemia in bold letters. He also saw that everything they had tried hadn’t worked.
“Prognosis?” he whispered.
The nurse shook her head no. He saw a tear form in her eye.
The next room was no different. Its occupant was a little girl named Sarah.
Amanda spoke, ”She has a bone marrow disorder.”
“How long does she have?” he whispered.
“She’ll be lucky if she lasts a week,” she answered.
By the time they had covered the ward, he was badly shaken. Turning to her, he spoke.
“How do you handle this? How do you watch children die and it does not affect you?” he asked.
“Who says it doesn’t. When I chose this profession I was quite naive about what I would see. All I thought about was the good side of it, watching children get well and go home. I had a rude awakening when I was assigned to this floor. You try to steel yourself to it, put on a stiff upper lip, and go on but it’s hard. Some days are better than others,” she replied.
“Do you have children of your own?”
“Yes, I have three, a girl and two boys.”
“Because of what you’ve seen were you hesitant about having them?” asked Gabriel.
“Yes, my husband and I had many conversations about it. We waited several years before we decided we wanted a family,” she answered.
“I can appreciate that,” he said.
“Are you married?” she asked.
“No.”
“Haven’t found the right one?”
“Amanda, will you excuse me, Please?” asked Gabriel.
“Sure.”
Gabriel found a men’s restroom, entered, and found an empty stall. Sitting down, he spoke, “Father, why am I here in this dreadful place?”
“Gabriel, I know it is discouraging. You are here to help bring some Christmas cheer,” came the reply.
“Yes, Father, I will do my best.”
The next day Gabriel went back to the floor and found Amanda.
“Amanda, I have a question. Christmas is nine days away. Why isn’t the floor decorated? Where is the Christmas tree? Why isn’t there any Christmas music being played?”
“We tried to but the parents complained. They couldn’t handle the idea that their child wouldn’t be here for Christmas. Management made us stop.”
“Let me take care of it. Are there any decorations here?” he asked.
“I believe so. Probably somewhere in the basement,” she answered.
“That’s all I need to know,” he said while getting on the elevator. Again he pushed the emergency stop button and spoke.
“Father?”
“Yes, Gabriel, I know. I am opening doors as we speak. You know what to do.”
That night was a busy one for Gabriel. He visited every member of the Board Of Directors. He whispered into their ears while they were sleeping.
The next day he went to the floor. Getting off the elevator, he witnessed a miracle. Boxes of decorations were piled in the middle of the floor. Nurses were putting up a tree and he could hear giggling in the background.
Amanda saw him and approached, “I don’t know how you did it. What’s your secret?”
“It’s all in who you know,” he answered.
“Well, I’m impressed.”
The makeover was astounding. He saw a glimmer of hope in each child’s eye as they decorated their room. He heard more than one child giggle. It was refreshing to say the least.
Gabriel stood back and watched. He knew the Father was in control, and he was excited to see what would happen.
Every day Amanda would seek him out and shake her head.
“I don’t understand it. These children were given no hope. Half of the floor, according to their diagnosis, shouldn’t be here. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled. I just don’t understand it,” she said.
Gabriel nodded. He knew now what the Father was doing.
Christmas morning arrived and he stepped off the elevator into something he would never forget. Every child’s parents were there. He could hear laughing and giggling all around him. Santa Claus was popping in and out of the rooms. He had a bag bulging with toys and was making sure each child received one. He also saw tears aplenty as the parents saw the joy on their faces. More than one went to the nurse’s station and thanked them.
Amanda saw him and came up to him.
“It’s a miracle. These children had a Christmas,” she softly cried.
“Amanda, it is a miracle. It’s a miracle from God,” he murmured.
“What, I don’t understand?”
“Amanda, I am not a doctor.”
“What? Who are you? Why are you here?” she said while heading for the desk, “I’m calling security!”
“Amanda, listen to me, please. God sent me. I’m an angel assigned to help children. That’s why I am here,” Gabriel pleaded.
“I don’t believe this!”
“Then tell me something. Why do you think these terminally ill children lasted until today? It surely wasn’t medicine keeping them alive.”
“Are you telling me that God kept them alive?”
“What do you think? Who else?”
She began to sob.
“Amanda, God gave these children another Christmas before He calls them home. He also wanted you to see it. I don’t know why, only God does. Merry Christmas, Amanda,” he said and then vanished into thin air.
“Father, thank you for keeping the children alive. I know that they will soon be sitting at your feet. Thank you for giving them another Christmas.”
“I did what I could do,” the Father answered, “and you made quite an impression on Amanda. She will never forget it.”
“Yes, Father, I doubt she ever forgets me. Now, what is my next assignment?”
December 14, 2021