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Gillis Stories - Dorothy's's Story

Well this was my third Christmas at Gillis, literally being on campus that day and being able to participate in many of the activities. Again, a joyous time was had by all. With MANY thanks to the Kansas City Jeep Club!

I will tell you a little story about several of the boys in particular just to point out what true goodness and love that comes from the Jeep Club being here. For a little over a week now there had been several of the younger boys who had kind of questioned Santa Claus. One seemed to not be too sure if there really was a Santa or not, the other two just out right had difficulty processing the concept. One morning while I was riding with two of the younger boys to take them to school off campus they saw one of our female staff (Marvette) walking into admin building with a Santa hat on and were just amazed and confused. They knew that hat meant something! So they asked me who it was. I in my silliness said “Oh my, that looks like Santa’s wife! She must be coming to check on the list of who has been naughty or nice”. Well, THAT made numerous questions come up. They for sure without proof could not believe, yet they were very curious. We proceeded to discuss and I to answer NUMEROUS questions about Santa, his wife, the reindeer, the north pole, the elves, etc. They demanded pictures.

So, the very next morning I searched online till I had found what I thought would be adequate proof in pictures to the existence of one said “Santa Claus” as well as all that entails. I printed off the pictures in color, cut them all out like real pictures, making two of each so each boy had their own, then put them in envelopes and gave them to the boys. Oh how their little eyes lit up! Alright! There is a Santa and by golly he is married!

So it was on! They were waiting with anticipation to actually see if these things they had been told about were true or not! They had pictures, but the TRUTH would come on Christmas day.

So Christmas morning as every year was just a delight to see! The boys all squealing, wrapping paper flying, remote control cars every where you looked and stepped! MP3 players streaming from everyone’s heads. Batteries flying out of their boxes quicker than David H could open them! New clothes being thrown on while the old clothes were thrown into corners. They were all little boys that day, from age 5 to 17, it was Christmas morning and thanks to all the cottage staff, David H, maintenance, anyone and everyone here that morning they got to feel it and live it. One delightful wonderful morning where everyone could be a little boy.

All the while the Jeep Club is already busy working in the kitchen preparing the holiday feast and wonderful things yet to come for the day. Now mind you, it is not only this day that the Jeep club contributes to our boys holiday. Although I am not sure the true amount of time, I know it must take weeks and maybe even months of preparation by them to do what they do for the boys. Hours upon hours of their own personal time and effort from their wonderful hearts for these boys AND our staff. There is a special place in heaven for all of you!

So without a hitch everyone arrives in the lunch room and a SERIOUSLY DELICIOUS holiday meal is served. The Jeep club members ever so kind and filled with the holiday spirit serving the boys and visiting. Making sure everything is just right for everyone! And I mean everyone! Even the one boy that was still sick on Christmas day was made a bowl of soup served special for him. It was wonderful seeing the boys get to eat what they wanted and as much of it as they wanted. I was surprised and touched to even see a lot of the boys encouraging one another to try things they didn’t think they would like! I saw some trading which I swear I wasn’t going to say a thing! I even saw ham being traded for green beans! Go figure!

Shortly after the holiday meal everyone was taken over to the gym. Little hands wringing in anticipation. Whispers coming from widened eyes looking around. The tree all decorated and lit up. Presents stacked all around. The boys kept asking me “When is he coming?” so I lifted my head and said “Oh my goodness! Did you hear that? It sounds like bells! I think that’s Santa’s sleigh!” Almost on cue Santa and Mrs. Claus came walking out. There were squeals, giggles and awe’s of delighted wonder! Santa was here!

Names were called, presents were passed out. The boys with their arms packed full with presents walked away from Santa and Mrs. Claus so extremely happy and excited! Boys were running here and there trying to show everyone their presents. Balls were being bounced, skate board thingies were being ridden (I have no idea what that thing was but someone is going to break a neck!), cars being pushed across the floor, puzzles being figured out, boys were begging for batteries, t-shirts were being put on, candy canes were being eaten. The world was good and perfect at that moment. They were safe, they were happy, they felt joy, and SANTA was real!

The three little boys that had occupied so much of the last days with questions and wonders about Santa were now jumping around saying “See Santa is real!” The oldest of those three kept coming over to me with complete amazement in his eyes saying “And he’s the real Santa Miss Dorothy, not one of those fake ones, he’s the REAL one! And he brought his wife!” I really think he could have cared less what presents he got. The truth was, he had joy that day, he knew he was worthy of receiving unconditional attention, positive attention. He knew Santa came to see him AND brought Mrs. Clause as well as gave him gifts, toys wrapped in pretty paper and the gift of the Jeep Club who showered each and every boy with happiness, love and kindness.

I have said it before and I’ll say it again: Gillis is SO blessed to have Matt and the Jeep Club. They are like special angels for the boys, for all of us. We can’t thank you enough Jeep Club members, you are simply awesome! Your hard work and caring heart gives so many blessings to our boys here at Gillis. It is always heart wrenching to see the boys that don’t have families or such to go spend the holidays with. But knowing you all will be here makes such a difference for them. You show them that someone really does care. You give them the gift of love and bring such brightness into what should be a special time of year. You make that happen for them!

Me? I’m not so sure that wasn’t really Santa sitting in that chair in the gym any way. And really if he isn’t, I don’t want to know because in my heart, he is Santa, that was Mrs. Claus beside him and all the Jeep club members are his elves! And that’s the way it is!

Happy Holidays for 2009! May you all be blessed with good health, good friends, and many blessings in the coming New Year!

And one last thing: Santa and the Jeep Club, thank you, thank you, thank you for the special gift for the nursing office. The boys are already excited about it! It is hopefully going to give the gift of joy, fun and better health to many of our boys!

Dorothy G. Fluit R.N.
Gillis Nursing Supervisor

Stories

Davion was a young teenaged boy living with extended family members when his behavior became uncontrollable. He began behaving violently toward his caregivers and was generally uncooperative. His caregivers reached out to Gillis through the Family Focus program. Immediately Davion began receiving therapy both at home and at Gillis through a brief residential stay.
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