Candy Fairy

As a frequent visitor of the hospital/cancer center, I am privileged to have a designated area to keep my personal items.  Anyone that has treatments, appointments and/or procedures three times a week, or more is assigned a locker in the patient lounge.  Most people keep toiletries, books, magazines and other necessities inside their lockers.  My cabinet, however, stores much more random collection of possessions.  Anyone who catches a glance inside my locker most likely thinks I'm a circus performer.  I have a few changes of clothes.  Mind you, these clothes are crazy bright colors and extremely worn-in.  They are obviously my "emergency" outfits.  Just in case I get blood, iodine, or some other bodily fluids spilled on me.  Gross, I know, but that's the life of a cancer patient.  I have numerous nail polishes and make-up items.  I also have a vast collection of novelty goods stashed away in my locker.  Most of the pieces I use when I visit "my" kids.  I enjoy doing makeovers with the girls and putting press-on tattoos on the boys.  I also hoard crayons, markers, all different types of paper, ribbon, and other crafty-type things.  The most abundant item I have in my cabinet is bags upon bags of candy.

The candy is not for me.  Ok, occasionally I sneak a piece for little treat.  If other patients, nurses, or doctors saw the contents of my locker they would most definitely think I am a sugar-starved, candy addicted freak that must be bouncing off the walls constantly.  That is entirely not true.  Most of the time I prefer a salty snack over a sweet snack.  My friends in the pediatric unit go wild for confectionary delights, so I keep plenty in stock.  Their parents don't often allow their children to indulge in sugary goodness.  I completely understand that they want to keep their children on a healthy diet to aid in, and improve their kid's treatment plan.  I support that mindset 100%, but sometimes I just have to spoil them.  I came up with the idea of a candy fairy.  On the first of every month, I sneak into their hospital room while the children are at their treatments, and leave "fairy gifts" filled with delectable goodies in the drawer of their nightstand.  Each child has a nightstand next to their bed to keep there personal items.  I sneak a "fairy bag" into every stand and slip out without any of the boys or girls knowing I was there.  The parents have told me stories about how excited the kids are when they return from torturous treatments to find the yummy treats the candy fairy left.  I love knowing that I can bring a smile to their faces after going through the agony of daily cancer woes.

I usually only hear stories about the children's reactions, but today was different.  One of the fathers recorded the kids opening up their drawers to find what the candy fairy brought them.  I tie each goodie bag with ribbon and attach a card with their names and an inspirational quote.  It was heartwarming to see every child read the quote aloud to each other before ripping into their treats.  I have always written the quotes on each of their "fairy gifts" mostly for the parents.  I thought it was a nice way to bring smile to their faces, as well as, to their children's faces.  I was shocked to see how much the quotes moved both the parents and the children  Seeing the kids go around the room and read their respective quotes brought tears to my eyes and a flood of emotions.  The children took the time to absorb the uplifting words before going candy crazy.  It was a beautiful sight.

The video that father shared with me gave me an entirely new outlook on my roll as the candy fairy.  Seeing the surprise on their faces when finding out the candy fairy came was adorable, but not nearly as meaningful as the reaction they had to the cards.  Watching the kids read the quotes to their friends and family, as well as, listen so intently to the other quotes was truly impressive.  Each one of those children have made a significant impact on my life.  It amazes me how one moment in time can alter the rest of your life.  I find the most joy in the simple pleasures we experience each and every day.