I wanted to shar something very personal on...

[RaySharpton]

this link on the Inspiration board.

http://www.disboards.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=137753

Thank you for letting me share,

RaySharpton

 

[fostrmom2mny]

Ray, I never knew. I am so touched over your post! How precious your "gift" to these beautiful angels and their families, is! Sometimes we all get wrapped up in our own world and we block out other's difficult times.

You are so thoughtful and I'll NEVER think of you now without seeing your beautiful Santa face (wearing your red, white, and blue shirt )
You're the greatest RaySharpton! We love you!!!
Gerri

 

[DumboOrBust]

<font face="comic sans ms"> Ray, I replied over there, but I want to reply here, too. You are truly an angel.


Love and Hugs,
Dayna

</font>

 

[bashful64]

You're a sweetie Ray! One of a kind and I feel extremely priviledged that I know you.

{{{HUGS}}}

 

[Sandra B.]

Ray, you did it....... I'm crying again (big surprise huh?).
Thank you for your wonderful story.
I'm so glad I got to know you at DIS-CON; I met the real Santa!!! Can't wait to see you next year!
{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

 

[perfectmatch300]

As I said on the Inspiration Board, having met you at DIS-CON, it doesn't surprise me at all to find you doing this. I knew you really were Santa Claus all along. I am truly inspired by your story to make the extra effort to reach out and touch someone this holiday season (& no, I don't mean to sound like a telephone service commercial). Thank you again for sharing this wonderful story with all of us.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Ray.. you touched my heart.. I did know what you did for work as Glo had told me but sharing this special story was absolutely incredible.. Tom read it too...The picture is so special.. WOW!!!You take care of yourself.. you are truly very special.. Hugs.

 

[luvdsny]

I love you Ray Sharpton. You are a warm and beautiful person. May God Bless you and allow you to bring peace, love, and joy to those little angels for a long, long time.

I just KNEW you were *special*, but geez! I didn't realize YOU were Santa Claus! Wow! Just so you know, I've always believed in you, Santa, and I've been a good girl all year.

 

[glo]

Dear Ray....I have tried to write this post a few times today. As you know my twins were preemies....I have been through this stuff..and your post really was very emotionally draining for me, it brought out memories that I had pushed to the back of my mind.

Anyway, I know how special a NICU is...The people who work there are incredible...there is so much hope, love and determination in there. A person who does what you do, saved first my Angela at birth, and then my Katerina a few hours later. To see little babies with all those tubes coming out of them is an experience I do not wish on anyone...

Ray, you are a doll...You give so much of yourself...I am so glad that I met you and that you are my friend...Hugs for all you do for your little angels...Remember that parents like me appreciate all those special things you do.....HUG!! and Happy Holidays!!

Got to go and get more tissues here......

 

[RaySharpton]

Wow! When I wrote this little thread, I was so tired. I had so many emotions. I was so happy to get the e-mail and this sweet picture. And I spent hours trying to figure out how to post this picture from my e-mail. I can get pictures from other sites most of the time, but not like you guys do on a regular computer...but I can't get a picture embedded in my own e-mail with MSN WebTV. Go figure.

I am so touched by all your wonderful responses. And I've read them all from the inspiration, dis-con, and community boards.

Sometimes if I write out what I'm thinking or feeling...I feel better. I was happy, I was sad, I was angry, I was frustrated, I was overwhelmed. I guess from the season rush, the work, trying to be sensitive to others feelngs. I don't know.

I feel much better now, but a little scared to go to work to night to check on our miracle baby.

I really, really, really appreciate all your responses.

To answer some of your questions:

I'm not a physician, nor a nurse. I'm a Registered Respiratory Therapist and Instructor and I've worked at Northside Hospital since 1977.

I really just do my job like everyone else.. There are so many Nurses and Physicians that do far more than I do, imho. I've seen so many caring, loving nurses give their all.

I have a wonderful job. I get to see the miracle of new life every single day at work. To see the first breath of life. The pain, the joy...it's all so amazing to me.

I don't handle death very well. But I endure my share. Life and death. Newborns and those adults that have lived a full life. As a respiratory therapist, I get to work all areas of the hosptal. Sometimes...caring for an aging parent is just as loving and caring as caring for a newborn.

I get so emotional this time of the year. I seem to go from one extreme of super joy of life to the other extreme of sadness and stress ofa very sick infant or adult. And to comfort the poor parents of some of the sick newborns or the sons or daughters of their sick parent. I don't know.

I just wanted to say thank you and as soon as I get sleepy, I'll go to bed in order to be rested for work tonight. I probably won't be back on the boards until Christmas night after my last night of work.

Thank you again for your wonderful responses, and remember there are so many physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists that do the same work that I do and are probably much better at it.

Excuse my rambling and spelling.

Merry Christmas, happy holidays and I hope that everyone had a Happy Hannaka.

Sincerely, Ray

 

[Mackey Mouse]

"Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.." (and I know where he lives) Hugs Ray.. I hope that little one is ok.. Please let us know.. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all..

 

[glo]

Hey Ray!!! Marsha is so very right....

Everytime I see the picture of you with the babies I start to cry....you are a sweetie!!!
HUgs and that Santa be good to you this CHristmas!!!
Happy Holidays and Merry CHristmas everyone!