Life, Death and Christmas

This Christmas will be a somber one for our family and has led me to reflect on the purpose of my life. In August we were blessed with our first grandchild, Julia who was Baptized on Dec. 11, 2005. In September my 94-year-old grandmother,who had resided in a nursing home since she broke her hip three years ago, began to fail.

By the time of Julia's Baptism, it was apparent that my grandmother did not have long to live after a bout with pneumonia. During the last weeks of her life it was difficult for her to eat and drink. I knew the nurses and aids have many patients care for so I spent some time with my grandmother each day to get the little things she needed. It was a joy to be there, especially the day before she died. I was there by myself for an hour in the afternoon and sang Christmas Carols to her. Although she could barely talk, my grandmother made an effort to let me know that she enjoyed the singing. I don't think I will ever be able to sing Silent Night again without tears welling in my eyes.

All the trappings of Christmas, the shopping, the presents, the decorating... mean nothing to me this year. Spending time with the people we love is the only thing that matters. My grandmother was a big part of my life for forty-nine years and those years have gone so quickly. But God is so good that he sent us Julia so that our sorrow would be mixed with great joy. We were even fortunate enough to get a five-generations family photo taken with both my grandmother and my granddaughter in it.

But the most comforting thought is the way that God takes care of those who love Him. On the feast of the Immaculate Conception I was at Mass crying. Afterward, the cantor came over with words of comfort saying this year my grandmother would experience the most beautiful Christmas of her life ...in Heaven. A Blessed Christmas to all.