Christmas In The Hospital

Christmas is an exciting time for children. But not all kids are in a position to<br>celebrate. Some people are willing to go to great lengths to make Christmas special for all<br>little ones. <br> <br> 'Twas

Friday, December 24th 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Christmas is an exciting time for children. But not all kids are in a position to
celebrate. Some people are willing to go to great lengths to make Christmas special for all
little ones.

'Twas the night before Christmas, and somewhere in town...Lay Christopher Silkey in his hospital gown. The stocking was hung, like his I V, with care. His mommy said
pneumonia is what put him there. "Never even crossed my mind about what I was gonna
do about Christmas. Christmas was on hold," said Lona Silkey, Christopher's mother.

She said she had more pressing questions on her mind when she brought
Christopher to St. John Medical Center early this week. "Is he gonna be okay? Is
everything gonna be okay? What's gonna happen to my little boy?" Now Christopher's
pneumonia is under control, but he will be in the hospital when Santa visits. And that's
hard to handle."You want Santa to come take you home?," she asked her son. "No, I
want you to take me home," Christopher answered.

This is a tough time of year for kids in the hospital. So hospital workers and
volunteers work hard to help these kids have a merry Christmas. The Saba Grotto clowns
have been making Christmas visits to young St. John patients for 24 years. They have a
special gift for helping kids think of happier things.

With all of Christopher's special visits and gifts, and the steps he's taking toward recovery, maybe it will be a "Merry Christmas to all" after all.