A Christmas story at Roswell: A train for Ron

by Paul Cozad
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, December 20, 2007
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, December 22, 2007

How do I begin a Christmas story such as this? Perhaps it’s best to start at our local coffee shop where another regular and I were exchanging life experiences. I noticed he suddenly became somber, very somber and had that far away look of a person who had drifted into another dimension. His eyes misted a little, and then he shook his head and said, “Paul,” calling my name and looking straight at me, “It just came back to me. I have a real story for you, one that happened to the girl I was going with at the time.”

He then started to talk intermittently with that far away look, drifting back to a special memory. I could easily see the emotion he was feeling ... deep inside!

His girlfriend, let’s call her Ileene, was being treated for breast cancer at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, where she had a breast removed. Her treatment was extensive and time consuming, requiring over a year of in-and-out stays at the hospital. She became restless during these stays and decided to volunteer her services at the children’s ward. They were happy to have another person reading to the children and helping them play games. For Ileene, this was very satisfying; it helped fill her life.

She soon found herself always coming back to a little 5-year-old boy named Ron, reading to him and playing games as best he could. You see, Ron had leukemia and was always weak, plus he was an orphan boy with no real family. After a time, Ron started to call her “Grandma,” and each time Ileene came into his room, he would break out in a smile and call to her, “Hi, Grandma!” reaching with his hand. She would reach back, giving him a hug. They would read or play simple children games, making Ron laugh and enjoy himself. A special closeness grew ... Ron needed her, and Ileene found a special fulfillment.

As the days moved into December, there were decorations and cookies which signaled to all that Christmas was coming. Ron did not become too excited as he had no memories of a real family type Christmas. But with “Grandma’s” visits, he started to become more and more into the Christmas spirit.

Then one day Ron looked at Ileene and said, “Grandma, do you think Santa will bring me a train?” She answered, “Well, I don’t really know. I suppose we will just have to wait and see.” This same conversation came up several times, with Ron always asking about the train he wanted. Ileene would answer the best she could, trying to keep his spirits up. Ron really wanted a train.

A few days before Christmas, Ileene happened to stop at Burger King. There she saw some small toy wind up trains on a promotional sale. She bought one, taking it back to her room at the hospital and gift-wrapped it.

On Christmas day, Ileene went to Ron’s room to see how he was. He was looking sad, telling her, “I didn’t get a train!” Ileene looked at him with a smile and said, “You know Ron, Santa came to my room and left a present for you.” She then pulled this present from behind her and gave it to him. Ron quickly reached out, looking at her with anticipation as he unwrapped the gift ... it was a toy wind up train. Wow!! Was he surprised, laughing his subdued weak laugh ... but laughing for joy.

Together they hooked up the track in a circle, wound up the small train and let it run for the first time. Ron, the little orphan boy with leukemia, was having a wonderful Christmas ... Santa had brought him his train. Both of them played with it for quite a while, winding it up and letting it run until it wound down, then doing it all over again. This was indeed a special day!

After a time, Ron looked at Ileene and weakly said, “Grandma, I feel really tired. Will you hold me?”

So Ileene picked him up and sat in a chair, cuddling him in her arms, rocking him softly as any grandma would. It was then she noticed his stillness, with no noticeable breathing and other responses. With that dreaded fear in her heart, she took a closer look, but it was what she feared the most, Ron had left this life.

And so it was, on this Christmas day, a little 5-year-old orphan boy with leukemia, named Ron, had his Christmas wish come true. He was a happy child as he gently passed from Grandma’s arms into the arms of Jesus, the first Christmas child. I like to think that Ron is still winding up his train, laughing with Jesus and the angels as it runs in circles. Can you imagine the joyous reunion when Grandma joins them?

My eyes also became misty as Blair told this story. But then I realized this is really a beautiful Christmas story ... a story of God’s infinite love for an orphan boy ... making his last moments on earth happy before taking him peacefully home. On this Christmas day, an orphan child found his home as another child was born, God’s Son, Baby Jesus. Thank you dear God, thank you! My heart is truly full of great joy! Merry Christmas everyone, Merry Christmas!

Paul Cozad is from Wheatfield. His numerous current interest articles are published in local media. Comments are appreciated.