Families Celebrate Christmas At The Ronald McDonald House While Loved Ones Are In The Hospital

Rather than waking up on Christmas morning, tearing open gifts or fulfilling any annual holiday traditions, the folks who stayed at the Ronald McDonald House celebrated Christmas a little differently.

"We were supposed to be home before Christmas, but he had three emergency surgeries, said Emily Philpott.

She and Kenneth Tush celebrated their first Christmas with their nearly three-month-old son Keaton. "He was born with only a little bit under half of his intestines," they said.

They had plans to be home with family, but when Keaton was placed in the NICU, everything changed.

"Stressful. Some days are harder than others. You just got to look for the joy in the little things you have around you," said Tush.

Tush and Philpott, as well as other families, found some of that Christmas joy thanks to the Ronald McDonald House.

"The stress it takes off our shoulders in already stressful situations is amazing," said Jason Bright, who was also staying there for the holiday.

Bright and his family usually spend holiday at home, but this year, they found themselves in Tulsa while his daughter was a patient at Laureate.

"My parents came down today as well so we're able to have the 7 of us all here together, open gifts, have meals," he said.

Although Christmas looked different than expected, these families were just thankful to have a place to celebrate together.

"Spending a holiday away from home with a sick child is not easy, but this Ronald McDonald house gives you a chance to still have your family all together," Bright said.

"The people here, they're blessings. They're true blessings," said Tush.

You can donate to the Ronald McDonald House to help support families like these here.