A grin spread across 4-year-old Paityn Merkins’ face as Santa Claus stepped into her hospital room on Friday carrying a bag of gifts chosen especially for her.
In his hands was a stuffed reindeer half her size, which Santa placed in her hospital bed. Paityn scooped it up and squeezed it as tight as her little arms could. Her grin grew.
After a few moments, though, she looked back to Santa and then to the reindeer in her arms. With a sheepish smile, she held the toy aloft for him to take back. She misunderstood — she thought Santa was just letting her borrow the toy.
“No, honey,” said Santa, Paityn’s smile spreading to his face, too. “It’s yours.”
And Paityn’s grin grew three sizes.
Paityn, who was admitted to Akron Children’s Hospital earlier this week for lung and heart problems, was one of 192 patients spending the days leading to Christmas at the hospital.
Every patient received a visit on Friday from Santa and Mrs. Claus, who arrived by helicopter at 9 a.m. They gifted each child with presents personalized for gender, age and interests.
Down the hall from Paityn’s room, 8-year-old Luke White excitedly tore away wrapping paper around one of his three gifts, which were donated to the hospital. Luke, who was hospitalized with influenza and pneumonia, beamed as the face of Darth Vader stared back at him. A press of a button, and the Star Wars character’s lightsaber lit up.
Luke’s mother, Julie White, said her son loves Star Wars, so the gift was perfect for him — and a surprise for both of them.
“I didn’t know that was going to happen,” she said. “I heard they were bringing Santa, but I thought they meant he’d only be down in the lobby.”
She expressed deep appreciation for the holiday program.
“It brought up his mood quite a bit,” she said with a smile.
Nearby, Marshirie Neal had a similar reaction when Santa visited her 11-month-old son.
The boy, Christopher Johnson, was too young to understand the allure of Santa Claus — but he seemed to like getting gifts. Christopher, who was hospitalized with a high fever, eyed Santa with what looked like cautious optimism.
His mother held a similar optimism, but for different reasons.
“We’re hoping to get out of here today, which is great because his birthday is in three days,” she said. “Plus, it will be nice to spend Christmas at home.”
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickGluntABJ and on Facebook @JournoNickGlunt .