Volunteering on the pediatric floor takes courage: kids are sick and still want you to play. You learn to be brave for them.

Walking onto that floor asks you to hold two things at once: the situation is serious, and the child in front of you wants to finish the game. Children are often better at this than adults, which is what surprises people. What they need is not solemnity or cheer, just someone who will take the next turn.

If you are going, prepare a couple of simple things you can do at a bedside: a card game, a drawing, a story. Follow the child’s lead and let them change the subject whenever they want. Afterwards, tell someone how it went, because carrying it alone is harder than it needs to be.