hospital impact

Hospitals are probably among the last places that you'd want to spend Christmas. But for some, there isn't much choice, and they make the most of it.

Bonnie Schmidt (right, in the picture) has been a patient since mid-November after getting a 4-inch tumor removed from her brain. Her family brought in a griddle, already-mixed batter, bacon, coffee and the other fixings from home to make pancakes topped with peaches, strawberries, whipped cream, and syrup. Pancake breakfasts are a tradition in her family.

Howard County General Hospital holds so many holiday-themed activities - including a visiting Santa, carolers, a handbell choir, a harpist, toy drop-offs and parties for employees - that it might be one of the merriest places in town. From the Baltimore Sun: "Anita Pandey can't see the Christmas tree in the hallway outside her hospital room - but she likes knowing it is there. Her 2-year-old daughter, Sarika Pandey Kapadia, keeps taking ornaments off the lower branches to bring to her mother, who is pregnant and has been on bed rest since the end of last month."

Chance Kahler, a 6-year-old boy, broke his femur sledding this past week. Worried that Santa wouldn't find him, he rewrote his letter to Santa, explaining that he was in Room 1257 in the hospital. Somehow the letter was returned by the post office, and the hospital staff decided to get everything on Chance's list.

And finally, there's nothing like a good ole fashioned Santa-sized hug (with a monkey in the middle).