‘Twas the night before Christmas in the hardest of years where the world was distanced and had shed many tears.
Everyone who could be home was already there, where cinnamon and peppermint scents filled the air.
While most people dreamed in the dead of the night, others were working to keep spirits bright.
An older woman stood alone on wobbly feet. It seemed she was tired and needed something to eat.
I could barely see her face behind the mask and goggles she wore. They were so tightly on, her face must have been sore.
But she kept on working despite any pain she was in. She had to help fight for those who needed to win.
Her white shoes squeaked softly as she did her rounds. An angel of sorts in a PPE gown.
She walked room to room in the quiet of night, caring for patients in dimmed hospital light.
She took care of each person and did all
that she could, hoping her help would do them some good.
Some patients were improving. Others were getting worse. This was the reality of the COVID curse.
After a long night of work, when the sun started to rise, she said “goodbye” and “merry Christmas”, as the new staff walked by.
She removed all of her gear and scrubbed as tears filled her eyes. When she finished scrubbing she gave in and started to cry.
As she walked to her car with red eyes and another mask on her face, I wondered if she knew what a difference she made.
She drove past some houses of holiday joy where children were playing with fancy new toys.
Stopped at a stop sign she spotted a girl riding by, on a shiny new bike. A man rode behind her smiling with delight.
She watched for a moment and felt a smile on her face and noticed the man looking her way.
He caught her eye and waved at her. “Merry Christmas,” he said. She recognized him from a hospital bed.
She’d held his hand when he needed it and prayed by his bedside. A few months ago he was the reason she’d cried.
She had thought he was done for but here he was, still alive, not even knowing she had helped him survive.
She wished them Merry Christmas and drove slowly away. She was thankful for the miracle God had shown her that day.
When she arrived home to her house, she showered, ate, and turned off the light. “Merry Christmas” she whispered,” and to all a good night.
