Ten months ago, I was preparing for the worst case scenario. My mother was in very bad health. She had been diagnosed with stage three cancer a few months prior. Multiple myeloma. Cancer that attacks the bone marrow. It’s supposed to be one of the most painful ones. I tried to somehow ready myself for the possibility or likelihood that she would not be with us this Christmas.

After all the steady prayers, miraculous stem cell voodoo and various chemo procedures, she has fought back and surprised even the doctors with a remission-like comeback. She was released from the hospital a couple days ago for a three week stem cell/chemo holiday.

Since her immune system is now beaten to a pulp from the recent wave of radiation treatments, she is not allowed to have any visitors, or be around people, especially kids, or anyone who might have the slightest sniffle or hint of a germ. She is essentially quarantined for a few months.

Tonight, my sister cleverly arranged for our friends and family to all meet outside my mother’s house to sing Christmas carols to her. She sat anxiously inside, beaming with her face pressed up against the paned window. The most beautiful Christmas scene, my mother’s bright face with a perfect Christmas tree backdrop twinkling behind her as she looked out at all of us…. all the grandchildren… the whole family… everyone singing in perfect Miller 4-part harmony… I do believe it was the most magnificent Christmas caroling I have ever heard in my lifetime…

Merry Christmas…. to you… and to us….