It was the afternoon of December 24, the day before Christmas;and as the newest doctor in our office, I had to work. The only thing that1my day was the beautifully decorated Christmas tree in our waiting room and a2sent to me by a fellow I was dating - a dozen long-stemmed red roses. Then I was told a lady3needed to speak with me. As I stepped out, I noticed a young, tired-looking woman with a4in her arms. Nervously, she5that her husband - a prisoner in a nearby prison-was my6patient. She told me she wasn't7to visit her husband in prison and that he had never seen his8. Her request was for me to let the boy's father sit in the waiting room with her as9as possible before I called him for his appointment. I agreed.10, it was Christmas Eve. Her husband arrived-with chains on his feet and hands, and two armed guards. The woman's tired face11like our Christmas12when her husband took a seat beside her. After almost an hour, I called the13to my office. At the end of the14, I wished him a Merry Christmas - a(n)15thing to say to a man headed back to prison. He16and thanked me. He also said he felt17by the fact he hadn't been able to get his wife anything for Christmas. On18this, I was inspired with a wonderful idea. I'll never forget the look on both their faces as the prisoner gave his wife the beautiful19. I'm not sure who experienced the most joy - the husband in giving, the wife in20, or myself in having the opportunity to share in this special moment. |