The Last Christmas {Insp}

"The Last Christmas"
Copyright © Michael Segal

Christmas is supposed to be a time of peace and
joy on earth -- a time of giving and of "warmth."

Many celebrate the day, the birth of Jesus, at church,
followed by a sumptuous meal and then by opening
gifts that are under the Christmas tree. Still others
celebrate the day by volunteering, helping those who
are less fortunate, at various food banks, shelters,
or hospitals.

I will never forget one specific Christmas. I work
at Memorial Hermann Hospital, primarily in the
Neuro Trauma Intensive Care Unit.

Being Jewish, I also worked at other locations of
the hospital that day so that my Christian coworkers
could spend time with their families at home on Christmas.

Walking through the large hospital I saw many sad
families in the many waiting rooms that day. I could
imagine them all screaming, "What kind of Christmas
is this? Spending it at the hospital?"

However, as I knocked on Room 623 on the oncology
floor, I met Mrs. Hunter and I soon learned that
everything is relative.

"Hi, my name is Mike Segal from Case Management.
Is there anything I can do to help you? May I come in?"
I asked those questions to an 87 year old cancer
victim who, according to the chart, would soon be
transferred to a Hospice so that she might live out
the remaining weeks of her life more peacefully.

Mary, her daughter, said, "Please come in."

As I entered the room, Mrs. Hunter uttered in a soft
hoarse voice, "I still need a straw." Mary quickly
explained, "They delivered this Ensure (a very high
caloric and vitamin drink) for mom but they didn't
bring a straw. We asked the nurse for a straw a
few minutes ago, but this is Christmas and I don't
know when the nurse will bring it."

I excused myself and rushed down to the cafeteria
where I grabbed a handful of straws. Knocking on
the door again, I was greeted by Mary's huge smile
as she saw what was in my hand.

"Thank you so much. It seems so small, but for
mom the straw is such an important thing," Mary
said as she put the straw into the Ensure that her
mother quickly began drinking. Mary then wished
me a Merry Christmas.

"May y'all have a very peaceful Christmas too," I said
as I started to leave. "Before I go, is there anything
else I can do?"

With those words, the 87 year old Mrs. Hunter
quickly asked in a soft voice, "Can we sing some
Christmas carols?"

The question startled me. Besides, I wasn't sure
if I knew the words to any carols. However, I quickly
replied, "Of course, I'd love to."

Mrs. Hunter automatically started singing, "Jingle
Bells, Jingle Bells`" and I quickly joined in, followed
by her daughter Mary. Mrs. Hunter then started, with
Mary and myself, singing two other Christmas songs.

Some Jewish people might be asking, "How can I,
as a Jew, sing Christian songs?"

However, for me the answer was crystal clear. Judaism
believes in the sanctity of life. If I could do anything to
help Mrs. Hunter enjoy her last Christmas, I was going
to do it. The preservation of life takes precedence
over everything else in Judaism and "preservation
of life" may be interpreted in many different ways.
That day I interpreted it as bringing a smile to the
face of a dying woman.

As we concluded our songs, Mary, with tears in her
eyes, said, "Thank you so much. G~d bless you and
Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas to you and your family as well," I
replied, feeling the true spirit of the holiday's season.

-- Michael Jordan Segal
Received on Sun Dec 23 07:50:27 2007