Whatever your thoughts are about Christmas, the most beautiful gifts won't be found under a tree on Christmas Day. Beautiful gifts are never wrapped. They unfold quietly; sometimes when you've lost all hope.

One of my most beautiful gifts took awhile coming. My closest friend, and bass singer in my group was in a head-on collision around this time last year, driving a church van. The impact caused old back and hip injuries to flare up, and it became very difficult for him to walk without great pain. A couple of months later, Joe was again driving the church van and was stopped at a red light when someone rear-ended the van at high speed, totalling the vehicle. While no bones were broken, Joe could no longer stand up, and even on morphine was in such excruciating pain that he could barely hobble across the room. Sleep wasn't an option. The only chance he had at a normal life was to undergo surgery, and at 79, there was very little guarantee of success because the damage to his back and hip were very extensive. But, Joe's singing days were over, and it looked like the group would never sing together again. So, despite the risks, Joe had surgery. After 9 and a half hours on the operating table, we all waited to see if the operation was a success.
The physical therapy was extremely painful and the progress very slow.
But, there was a beautiful gift unfolding. It took six months of patient, cautious rehabilitation, with many setbacks. Now, Joe walks upright, without pain, is driving again, and most beautifully of all, is singing with such power that I feel overwhelmed, singing next to him.

After six months, we finally were able to sing together again. I asked Joe to revive a song we used to do, that I always loved... a song that we sang at my wedding, five and a half years ago: All Things Are Possible, If You Only Believe. If anyone knows the truth of that song, it is Joe. When he sings it, sometimes I can't look at him because I am so overcome with gratitude for his healing. What a beautiful gift!

In your heart of hearts, is there a special gift you received this year that you'd like to express thanks for? Maybe it's a new grandchild (Sorcha) that has brought a great joy into your life. Or a miraculous healing. Maybe your beautiful gift is that you're still here.

I'd sure like to hear about it..

Jerry