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I wish eachone of ourdonors couldhave beenpresent tohear how theirgifts can blessthe heart of ahurting child.you in love frompeople you havenever even metwho are prayingfor you.”In a recentchapel service onthe PsychiatricUnit, we weredistributingPrayerBears tothe children.A beautiful12-year-old girlsaid, “I didn’t know anyone would pray for me.I don’t think anyone’s ever prayed for me untilnow.” I wish each one of our donors could havebeen present to hear how their gifts can blessthe heart of a hurting child.Through our Staff Partner program, areacongregations or other groups may request tobe paired with a nursing unit. Once a weekor once a month, that group brings trays offinger foods for staff who often skip meal breaksto tend to the needs of a child. They smile atour nurses; they say, “Thank you for making adifference;” they may send them birthday cardsor pray for them. These community groups arean integral part of the Cook Children’s spirit,for “to encourage” someone is to pour courageinto that person.The chapel at Cook Children’s, with itsbeautiful needlepoint, priceless stained glass,and fine music instruments, is a gift from peopleof faith. The Prayer Garden and Labyrinth areThanksgiving PrayerWe give thanks for the awesome gift of life and theprivilege of living in a free nation. We give thanks forthose we love and those who love us. We speak theirnames, grateful for relationships that are ours by birth,by adoption, by choice, and by divine intervention.We remember those who, by death or by circumstance,are absent from our table but not from our hearts.We are grateful that they are forever in your care.We give thanks for good food and warm beds, forclothing and shelter, for safety and a sense of belonging.We thank you for all the ways that our bodies, our minds,12 cook children’s promise – the magazine of Cook Children’sgifts from generous friends. Our Walk of Honor,also a gift, is the first major tribute to organ andtissue donors by a children’s hospital. Ourchaplains nurture the spirit of Cook Children’s,a spirit that shines in many, many physicians,staff, board members, volunteers, and donors.That spirit also shines in the faces of courageousyoung patients and loving families. AtThanksgiving and every day, we are gratefulfor each one who graces our lives and ourwork here.Count your blessings!Ann Miller, Ph.D., LPC, LMFT, BCCDirector of Pastoral CareIf you would like to make a gift to helpunderwrite Pastoral Care, or other work atCook Children’s, contact the Cook Children’sHealth Foundation at 682-885-4105.www.cookchildrens.orgPastoral Care staffAnn Miller, Director of Pastoral CareSteve Irwin, Supervisor Pastoral CareTerry Shaw, Pastoral Care SpecialistPam Foster, Chaplain Interfaith MinistryPeggy Johnson, Chaplain Interfaith MinistryDoug Pace, Chaplainon-call ChaplainsTerry BoggsMichael DownsMichael HatcherJames HoodWilliam NashDavid Wallaceand our spirits are healthy. We rest in your faithful lovein all the ways that we are weak and vulnerable.May we work and give toward the day when all babiesare born healthy and all children grow up safe and nurtured,the day when all who are elderly know dignity and love,all who are sick or hurting receive care, all who have strayedare restored, all who are in conflict know peace, and allwho are lonely find friendship. Fill us with your spirit ofkindness until our hands are your hands, bringing healingto a broken world. May we offer not just words, but deedsof true thanksgiving.—Amenyes, there is a Santa ClausYou have probably heard of Bruce Wayne,the alter ego of Batman, but have you heardof Cook Children’s version of a superhero,Andrew Wayne? Our Wayne works for RE/MAXand is a certified real estate coach, ethics andlegal instructor who lives in Colleyville andhas lived in Northeast Tarrant County forover 40 years. He started playing Santa on awhim. He has taken his portrayal of the jollyfellow to a new level. What started as a favorto a friend is now a unique fundraising effortfor Cook Children’s.Wayne was first asked to “play” Santa for asmall group of kids twelve years ago. His friendhad a helicopter and flew him to an airplanehangar for the party. When they opened thehangar door, 700 smiling faces looked up andstarted shouting “Santa, Santa” and he washooked. After five or six years and many peopleasking him how they could repay him for histime, he came up with the idea to support hisfavorite cause – Cook Children’s.Now when he receives a request to puton the suit, Wayne asks that the individual orfamily make a donation to Cook Children’s.Last year Wayne raised $61,000 as Santa. That’ssome present. In total Wayne is responsiblefor thousands more dollars given to supportthe hospital.Donning the gear over the years has brought alot of joy to Wayne’s life. “I have a passion fordoing this,” Wayne said. And it’s not just forchildren’s parties. Every year Wayne also visitsa senior center holiday party. Last year a ladycame to sit on Santa’s lap and told him shehadn’t visited with Santa in 50 years. Waynedidn’t miss a beat, “Well, I’ve missed you.”They both got teary eyed.When asked what Santa wanted forChristmas this year Wayne replied, “He wants tomake sure all children have the ability to accesspremier healthcare. Santa doesn’t want any childto suffer. We can’t take away all of the pain butwe can make certain to bring a little joy andhope to sick kids and their parents.”Andrew Wayne certainly exemplifies thetrue giving spirit. Paraphrasing from the famouslines penned by Francis Church, “Yes, there is aSanta Claus. He exists as certainly as love andgenerosity and devotion exist, and you knowthat they abound and give to your life its highestbeauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be theworld if there were no Santa Claus.” And atCook Children’s, we agree.For information about Santa visits, youdon’t even have to call the North Pole; Santa’slocal number is 817-366-6523.Winter 200813