Cassie Anderson
The Gift of Unexpected Love
A cold, dark December evening. Christina Anderson holds her feverish 2-year-old daughter in a hospital room at MeritCare Children's. The year is 2006 and Cassie has already been through months of difficult treatment to battle leukemia.
The quiet circle of two becomes three. In a corner of the room, an odd little friend with hand-sewn eyes and outstretched arms keeps watch. Created by the love of a stranger, she's white with a pointy nose and wears a pink-flowered dress.
Since 1995, MeritCare Children's Hospital has received beautiful handmade teddy bears during the Christmas season. The bears arrive one at a time, usually four a year, beginning in mid-December. Carefully packaged in a box, each comes with a note: "Please give to a child in need." The return address? Ted E. Bear, Horace. N.D.
No one at Children's Hospital knows — or will tell — who makes them, but everyone has ideas. "They look grandma-made," says one employee. "I think they're made by a quilter," says another.
To the delight of her family in Detroit Lakes, Minn., Cassie made it home for Christmas that year. Today she's a lively 4-year-old who loves preschool, dressing up and watching movies. The handmade teddy bear crowds together with other toys and stuffed animals, but still holds a special place in the hearts of a mother and her little girl.
"It means a lot that people you don't even know care about sick kids," says Christina. "Somebody spent a lot of time making that teddy bear without knowing who it might help."
Cassie holds close the teddy bear, now distinguished with crayon marks, loose threads and a smudged face. Who can she thank? The bear's mysterious maker expected nothing but the joy of giving and adding to the circle of love.
Jennifer Thrasher
The Sounds of Hope
You couldn't find your gloves, the roads were icy, you barely had time for this medical appointment, but now you're here. You walk through MeritCare's front doors into unexpected joy. The bright, clear sounds of children singing fill the air, rising to the very top of the light-filled rotunda. You unwrap your scarf, close your eyes and let the sweet melodies take you to a place of peace. Welcome to the warmth of the season.
Each December, the Horace Mann Roosevelt School choir and other musicians from throughout the community share their gifts in MeritCare's front lobby. Whether they sing or play instruments, they brighten the spirits of employees, patients, families of patients and more.
"I'm so proud of our HMR Spartan choir," says Jennifer Thrasher, director. "I love the fact that this choir is open to any fourth and fifth graders in our school who want to sing — no auditions required." With 58 energetic voices, the choir meets every Tuesday morning at 7:30 for a 40-minute rehearsal.
Jennifer can easily see when her choir sparkles. They have bright eyes, big smiles and stand tall. Sometimes they even dance. "There's always more to singing than a quarter-note-eighth-note combination," she says. "Music touches the heart."
This year's Dec. 9 performance will include "Hope is a Hidden Star," a beautiful piece that flows in two-part harmony. "Those pure voices will give you goose bumps," says Jennifer. "And the message is meaningful, too. Hope is always there, but sometimes you have to look for it."
The stresses of life and the hurried preparations for the holidays may be unavoidable. But pause a moment. Listen. Enjoy the music at MeritCare in December — and let the lost gloves wait.
Matt Nelson
Warm Wishes, Great Gifts
It's 7 a.m at the South Fargo Fire Station and 28-year-old Matt Nelson arrives along with the other four members of his crew. The men begin their day at the station, which has become their second home.
They sit down for breakfast at 9 a.m. and then start training, whether that includes burning down abandoned buildings, analyzing the layout of the city or responding to emergency calls, each part of their duties are vitally important to ensure the safety of the Fargo-Moorhead community.
But on Christmas morning, their duties are a little bit different. While most people are at home with their families, these men are at work, giving back to the community.
Nelson and five other men, looking sharp in their navy blue ties and dress slacks, have a special duty today. They are going to MeritCare Children's Hospital to spend time with children who can't be home for the holidays.
"We have an appreciation for those who can't be with their families," he said.
The men bring presents, donated by the Fargo Firefighters Local 642, spend one-on-one time and take pictures with the children, all so that the kids can look back on their special day with the firefighters. As secretary and treasurer of Fargo's International Association of Fire Fighters chapter, it is Nelson's responsibility to purchase the gifts for the children.
"We know what families go through and by visiting them on Christmas day, we can make their stay at the hospital better," Nelson said.
Nelson is proud to have the opportunity to make a difference at the children's hospital and the children certainly enjoy their thoughtful gesture.
"We can do more in the community than just fight fires," he said. "We are proud to give back to the children in this way."