My first born child, JJ was supposed to be a Thanksgiving baby. It was 3 weeks later, however, when my wife went into labor. It was a dangerous delivery and in the end we had to have an emergency c-section before he was born on December 16th, just 3 days before our first wedding anniversary.

Nine days later we drove to my Mom and Dad’s house for Christmas. My wife was still sore from her surgery so I made her comfortable on the couch and gave JJ to his grandma to hold. As we all talked and laughed I noticed that Mom wasn’t saying anything. I looked over at her and she was still holding JJ in her arms and speaking to him in gentle tones. Her smile was so joyous and her eyes were moist with tears. I knew that she had just been diagnosed with cancer and my heart filled with love for her. I was happy that I was able to give her the Christmas gift of her grandson and I prayed that they would have many years together.

Sadly, that didn’t happen. Mom died on a cold, winter’s day just four years later when I was only 25 and JJ was only 4 years old. I felt so bad that she wouldn’t be able to watch him and my other children grow up. Yet, over the years I feel that she has. I can still see and feel her loving presence around them over and over again. It comes in so many ways and so many forms. Sometimes I will see strange lights near them that I can’t explain. Other times butterflies will flutter around their heads like they are being guided there by an invisible hand. And always when I look in each one of their faces, I can see her own loving smile and sparkling eyes.

God Loves us all so much and God wants us all to bring Love into this world in both large and small ways. My Mom did that everyday of her life. And even after her life in this world was over, her Love continues on. May that be said for each of us.