The Ones Who Stay

Just got home from a twelve-hour shift in pediatric.

The Ones Who Stay

There’s something about working the holidays that gets to you - not in a bad way, just in a way that makes you think.

Tonight there was a little boy, maybe seven, who’s been with us for two weeks. His mom brings him a new dinosaur book every few days (Sophie would approve). When I checked on him around midnight, he asked if Santa would know he was here. I told him Santa always knows.

The quiet moments after a long shift.

Simple comfort after hard days.

The truth is, there are kids who spend Christmas morning in hospital beds, and there are nurses who choose to be there with them. We make it as magical as we can - twinkling lights in the hallways, gift bags from the volunteers, and yes, hot chocolate at 3 AM when someone can’t sleep.

Came home and made myself some hot chocolate too.

Home is where the heart heals.

The kitchen where we decompress.

Marcus found me in the kitchen just standing there, thinking about all the little faces I left behind tonight. Some jobs you clock out of. This one follows you home in the best way possible. Tomorrow I’m back for another shift. Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.