A Small Gift, A Big Christmas Miracle

Most of you that read my blog, know that my mom died a little over 3 years ago, September 8th 2006.

I want to share a story of a Christmas Miracle that happened to me that year!

Christmas Eve, Adam and I packed a few things in an over night bag and headed down south to stay with my brother and his family for a few days. I was excited! One, because I LOVE my brother Craig and his family, and Two, because my dad was going to be there and I hadn't seen him since the funeral.

Christmas Eve was fun......with food, good company and a great holiday spirit. Although, there was something missing. If any of you have ever lost someone who is one of the most important persons in your lives, you know what I'm talking about. Holidays are hard, especially the firsts ones.

Christmas morning was fun! My brother and his wife have 3 kids so, the wrapping paper was everywhere. The ripping, the laughter, the fun...who wouldn't love Christmas? In the midst of all this Christmas fun, my sister-in-law Lori handed my a present and said, "this is from your mom." I was a little confused but a warmth filled my heart as Lori said, "just open it." I had a million thoughts running through my head as I unwrapped this gift. When I finally got it open, I saw a wall decoration that I loved. It was something I would of bought for myself and it matched other decor in my house. I looked at Lori, still a little confused and she told me the story.

That summer, my mom and dad had gone on one big road trip visiting friends and family. From California, to Utah, to Idaho, to Washington, to Canada, and back down again. It was so good seeing her that summer. Her Chemo was done and she had a new outlook on life. I remember calling in sick to my job one Saturday while they were visiting Adam and I, and we went to garage sales all day long. It was one of the best times I had ever had with her. I still remember getting excited and laughing as we found another sale, and another sale, and another sale. I also remember the looks we got from Adam and my dad as we unloaded all of our treasures from that day.

After staying with us for a week, they went down south to stay with my brother and his family. While shopping with my sister-in-law Lori one day, my mom found this wall decoration and thought that I would love it. So, she got it and asked Lori to keep it at her house. That way she wouldn't have to mail it to me in case we didn't all get together for the hoildays.

After Lori shared that story with me, the gift had so much more meaning. The fact that it was from my mom, who had just died 4 months earlier, the fact that it was exactly what I would of wanted, and the fact that it said LOVE. I like to think that that was a BIG Christmas Miracle. It didn't happen by chance, nor was it a coincidence. It was her way of saying, "My dear sweet Keely, I know that's it hard to have me gone, especially around the holidays, but I am thinking about you, and I'm with you, and most of all I LOVE you!

Every time I see that wall decoration I obviously think of her, but I also think about the tender mercies of the Lord. Who, without Him, I would not be able to see my mother again. That is why I celebrate Christmas, because He was born and made all things possible.