The Lights In Her Eyes

 

The anniversaries of two events that changed my life forever happened between November 23^rd and Christmas of the same year.  My daughter was born the day before Thanksgiving and not quite three weeks later my husband, her father, passed away in a tragic accident. 

I don’t really remember much about the 6 or 7 days following the accident except my wonderful family dropping everything to be at my side for the memorial service.  I didn’t want to travel with the baby so my best friend flew out to stay with me and my sisters and Mom returned to celebrate the holiday with their young children.  Christmas Eve night came and went with the presents still wrapped and under the tree. Christmas night promised to be just as uneventful but as we sat in the living room talking, the Christmas tree and window lights suddenly popped on.  They were on a timer and someone else must have been turning them off for me each night because I never even saw them.  My friend jumped up to turn them off but I told her to stop when I saw my daughter smiling and looking at the tree.  The lights reflected in her wondering eyes and just for a moment it was Christmas.

We have come a long way since then and this season always brings with it, the memories, both joyous and sorrowful.   We will be celebrating her birthday on Thanksgiving Day this year and, as always, I will thank God for her and all He has brought us through.


Happy Birthday, My Girl.  May God always give you something to wonder at that will bring a light to your eyes and smile to your face even through the hardest times.