Today at St. Jude's (Photo: Emily O'Dell)
St. Jude's playroom in Beirut (Photo: Emily O'Dell)
I spent this afternoon at St. Jude’s–and it was great to be back, since last week I had a cold and had to stay home–to keep any unwanted germs away. Today, we managed to field a 6-person game of UNO, and a 4 year-old boy taught me some new tricks on how to play Grand Theft Auto. It’s embarrassing when even toddlers know more computer commands than we do–which is why I’m trying to step up my game.
When I got to the playroom today, I was happy to see this painting of two girls on the glass above. One of the beautiful things about working at St. Jude’s is that every week when I arrive a new game, piece of art, or toy has magically appeared. I say “magically” because I never know who’s responsible for introducing these new paintings and games into the playroom when I’m not there. It’s been a gift to see–and not see–the large number of caring hearts behind the scenes who provide in a number of ways for these kids with cancer–be it through donating their money, volunteering their time, or contributing their art.
When it came time today for my Grand Theft Auto tutor to receive his medicine, he threw an unexpected, though understandable tantrum–and though his parents tried to calm him down–it only made the situation worse.
That’s when a 12-year-old girl, her bald head covered by a black felt flapper cap, stood up from a heated game of UNO to go and sit at his side. As she began comforting him, we all took a step back, and let her work her magic–since it seemed to be working. After a few minutes, he was finally able to relax and take some necessary breaths from a breathing tube, before retiring calmly to his room.
While we adults try to support these kids in any way that we can, we can’t really know what it’s like to go through months of cancer treatment as a child. And perhaps that’s why my Grand Theft Auto tutor today was more willing to listen to a fellow patient–because he could recognize that she was going through the same thing too…and no doubt, she had reached out to help him because she understood–more than we ever could–just how he might feel…
To make a donation online to support the treatment of my friends at St. Jude’s in Beirut, please click here. Coloring at St. Jude's (Photo: Emily O'Dell)
