I wonder if I can share a Christmas story that has always held a special place in my heart and helped me tonight.....

Christmas 2002.............. After having 3 failed brain surgeries and facing another .. when my family asked me what I wanted for Christmas I requested only one thing.... having the WHOLE family come home for Christmas. Not an easy task, just my immediate family(then), siblings -their spouses and children, parents and grandparents.... was a total of 41 people scattered from NH to Washington state.

They all granted my one wish, every single person came home and we had the most fantastic Christmas one could ever imagine. So loud! Lord but I loved it. This Christmas stands out in my memory for another reason as well....I found the magic of the true meaning of Christmas through the eyes of a child.

My twin sis was getting the kids then 6 and 4 ready to come over, everything was hectic and in the rush their dog slipped outside. Tragically, he was hit by car. My brother rushed over to pick up sis and the kids while another took the dog to the vets. By the time the children arrived at my house, only 15 mins away, their beloved dog had passed away on the operating room table.

I am the "chosen one" in my family... the one everyone turns to, and expects to deliver bad news.... How was I to tell these sweet angels, their "baby" was gone? And on Christmas of all days!! My stomach was in knots as I knelt down and shared the news as gently as I could.............then it happened..........

My 6 year old nephew had tears streaming down his face, and through sobs said... Today is Christmas.......... It is Jesus’ Birthday.... Cody was just the best dog ever!!! I bet God thought, what better gift to give His son, than a dog like our Cody...............

I could not help it, I had tried so hard! But tears were now streaming down my face too.......And just to try and finish me off... my 4 year old niece chimed in..... I love Cody!!! But I bet God loved His son just as much, and He gave His son to me, so yes .. I am glad Jesus has our Cody.

ACCCK........... I had to leave the room, there was no way I could control the tears now. When I gathered myself, I came back out to console the children.... and they had decided since it WAS Jesus’ birthday, we SHOULD have a cake for Him!.......We baked a cake right then!
And every year since, we have made Jesus a cake Out of the mouths of babes.....