Tiny Big Moment: A badge of his very own.
This is a story from our Tiny Big Moment collection. To read more about Tiny Big Moments and why we’re calling 2021 the Year of Tiny Big Moments, check out our previous post.
There are few things as elusive and bewitching to small kids in the hospital as a nurse’s identification badge. Bright and shiny, they dangle with such a peculiar and fascinating movement that calls out with a siren’s song for babies to grab. But on an oncology floor, though cleaned with extreme precision, they’re objects that aren’t meant to be played with.
That doesn’t stop a baby from trying.
Cypress, like all of his baby friends on our floor, loved his nurse’s badges. When they held him, that was the first thing he lunged for with such joyful anticipation, both arms and hands widely outstretched. I’d imagine him thinking “if only I grab it this time!” As he reached and missed the badge as his nurses unclipped them from their shirts. Each time he came so close to holding one and each time he missed.
But that all changed one morning.
I was just getting Cypress up for the morning when I noticed something sitting on the counter by his sink. In the darkness of the room, there was a shiny piece of plastic glowing with fluttering light from the sun rising. That wasn’t there when we went to bed the previous night. Cypress, his IV pole and I scooted over to see what it was. A badge! With Cypress’ name on it! A badge that was his very own! His sweet and loving night nurse, Helen, had created a special badge, just for Cypress, and placed a silly sticker of Disney’s Goofy in place of his photo. She had carefully written Cypress’ name underneath the sticker and placed it inside an official laminated holder. It was a special moment for him to be able to finally feel what a badge felt like between his fingertips. The smoothness of the plastic and the coldness of the metal clip. With his fierce concentration that he was known for when exploring new activities and lessons, Cypress held his badge and studied it.
Finally. It was his.
