On "Ronald's Day," I would ______ Ronald McDonald and visit the community hospital's sick children.

Most of these young patients were _______ terminal illnesses.

I loved my job and found _____ tremendously rewarding to be able to bring some laughter to the kids.

One of the rules of my job was never to visit the children alone when I was dressed as Ronald, _____ I might frighten them with my painted face and red wig.

I wasn't permitted to have any physical contact with the children either, _____ doing so might pass on germs to them.

Though I understood the reasoning behind these rules, I also felt that sometimes _____ could convey love, empathy, and warmth _____ a heartfelt embrace.

Once, as I was leaving the hospital after finishing my work for the day, I heard a voice coming from behind a _______ door.

"Ronald," the frail voice called, ______ me to push open the door and go in.

I found a small boy of about five ______ down and ______ extremely weak and pale.

"His name is Billy," his parents told me, _______.

It was really heartbreaking to see such a young boy _____ to a hospital bed.

I knew I had to do anything I could to cheer little Billy up, ______ I stayed and did some magic tricks.

The sparkle soon returned to his eyes and I asked ______ I could do anything else for him.

Billy replied, "Ronald, can I have a hug?" Although having to _____ pained me deeply, I had no choice.

I told Billy that it ______ the rules, and quickly added that we could do some coloring instead.

A while later, it ______ that he was getting drowsy, so I rose to my feet to get ready to leave.

That's when he stretched out his tiny arms to hug me. I was about to _____ again, but then I saw the look of hope in his eyes.

Suddenly, I realized I no longer cared if I ______ the rules.

Some things in life, after all, are more important. I picked him up and ______.

After that, we talked and talked. He confided his worries to me. He was afraid that his little brother would have no one to play with. ______, he was scared that his dog would get hungry because he had hidden all its bones.

It seemed that Billy knew he would never be going home. ______, even then, he was only thinking of others.

When I finally stood up to go, I have Billy's parents my number and told them not to _____ to call me if I could be of any assistance.

Then, two days later, I received a call from Billy's mom telling me her son ______.

She wanted to thank me for making a difference in his life, ______ he'd said to her, "Mommy, I don't mind if I can't see Santa this year because I've hugged Ronald."