My nephew dreaded the very idea of entering the hospital and was required to have surgery. My brother likened his son's trauma to being dragged across the parking lot.
I was building costumes for a children's theater at the time and had access (with permission) to their inventory. With a smile and the blessing of the artistic director I borrowed a black bee costume complete with dilly boppers and a huge round tumbly with big wide yellow stripes running horizontally across it.
Knowing of my nephew's plight I quickly put on my costume complete with the belly touching the steering wheel and drove directly to the hospital. After dodging onlookers on the elevator I headed straight for little Paul's room.
The mood changed. Paul's frown was now upside down and I was required to buzz around and cheer up others at my nephew's request.
