Today as we celebrate Christ’s birth, I can’t help but reflect on what the Savior of the world has done for me in my life. The times that I felt he helped me are countless. One that stands out in my mind quickly goes back to a Christmas when I was 10 years old. My family had hit a hard year and it was that Christmas that I really first felt and started to understood the Christmas spirit. My family was served by many other people, to ensure that my brothers and sisters and I had a Christmas. My siblings probably could recall the facts better than I. What I recall is that over the Christmas week 29 years ago, there were multiple other families that dropped gifts off at our house anonymously. As a kid it was fun to get the gifts.
As I have grown older and created a family of my own, April and I decided to pass it forward, so every year for Christmas we anonymously secret Santa different people, for fun. The miracle for me wasn’t getting the extra gifts 29 years ago for Christmas. The miracle is that the person that did those Secret Santas for my family 29 years ago, taught me the true meaning of Christmas. To be observant and watch for those in need and to love others as he would of loved him. Each year, my kids love buying for strangers and then taking them to strangers houses and knocking at the door and then running to the bushes as fast as we can. I love the memories of hiding in a dark bush with my daughters, huffing and puffing, but trying to be quiet so no one hears us as they answer the doors. However the best gift are the moments, after we have left the presents on the door and we are driving away, the air in the car is still and quiet. There is a warmth and a peace that makes the night a sacred experience for my family. All the kids feel the spirit of Christ and know that they are on his mission to serve and uplift others.
I am grateful for the people that left gifts on my families door 29 years ago. Some of them are probably no longer on this earth and the actual present is long forgotten. What is remembered is the lesson they so very clearly taught me. Hard times come upon all of us, but when they do, the savior will be there through other people to help you. You will eventually be healed. And then when you are healed, it is then time for you to go help someone else.
Five days ago when Lane was diagnosed with Leukemia. I thought, He is a boy that is always laughing and joking. Every time I would go to his house, I would see him at the doorstep, greeting us.
When the news broke that he had Leukemia. I am not sure if he comprehended it and the challenges that lie ahead for him. I personally cried when I heard the news, because I thought about the challenges that happened to my family when I was 10. My heart broke for Lane. He has already been through a lot. I am confident that there will be a day and time, it could be 1 year, 10 years or 29 years from now where Lane will be healed. He will then be the one that will see someone in need and go help him. It is then, we will stand in aww and wonder with amazement, and be able to confess that we know that Christ lives…
I know that Christ lives and loves each one of us.
I love your family and am grateful to be part of it.
Merry Christmas,
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