Swag Love

I went to medical school for the toys. Not the opthalmoscope, or those nifty life saving stents - oh no! I wanted the cool pens shaped like bones and the little stuffed animals emblazoned with drug names.

Not really. But you'd think that was the case, the way I'm given these things everywhere I go. Back in the day, I generally chucked them into the trashcan on my way out of the meeting. Now, however, with Jonathan so enamoured of presents, and so easily pleased, I've finally found a use for all the little tchotckes.

It started when his grandpa brought along the Actos toys on a recent visit. Actos is a diabetes drug; it may perhaps increase your risk of heart attack, so it needs a REALLY cute set of mascots. Jonathan became the proud owner of a full set of beanbag toys, and because they came from his Harabojee, he insisted on sleeping with them. I was tucking him in and he fished one out from under the covers. It was a somewhat sickly shade of green. Jonathan asked "What's HIS name?" and my creative juices got stuck. I said "Honey, that's a pancreas" without thinking.

Of course, there was nothing to do after that but name them all. In for a penny, in for a pound, I thought, and soon, Jonathan was snuggling up to Pancreas, Kidney, Liver, Adipose, and Triglyceride. He had all the names down within a week, and they held pride of place in his bed for at least a month. Periodically he likes to quiz me. He knows the Kidney is my favorite.

Last night I went to a hospital presentation. Jonathan asked me for "Two presents, please!" so I was happy to see the gift bags lined up. Of course, the presentation was about breast MRI, so the swag was rather girly. No matter. A tiny mesh makeup case became an excellent holder for two Matchbox cars. The keychain was neat, even if it did have a pink purse charm attached. And Jonathan loved walking around with the bag slung across his chest, newsboy style - who cared if it was lime green and had flowers silkscreened across it?