If I were asked to name my favorite Christmas ever, I would immediately answer Christmas, 1994. Christmas fell on a Sunday that year. I was the Bishop of our ward, and we had decided only to have Sacrament meeting that year, combined with the other ward in our building. The meeting was special: one of the speakers was Greg Prososki, who was not a member of the church and who had never expressed any interest in joining the church (He was later baptized).
After church that morning, our family opened the presents we had at home, then bundled ourselves into our van for a drive to Mesa to spend Christmas with the rest of our extended family. On the way down, we sang Christmas carols and excerpts from Handel’s Messiah. Having a musical family is such a blessing.
As we were approaching the Valley of the Sun, we remembered that Sister Kaggie, a sweet, elderly lady in our ward, lay recovering from a stroke at Barrow’s Neurological Institute in Phoenix. We thought of how hard it must be lying in a hospital bed on Christmas, hundreds of miles from family and friends. Jan suggested that we make a detour and do some Christmas caroling to her in the hospital; after all, no one in Mesa knew what time we would be arriving. Instantly, the entire family agreed.
We drove into Phoenix and after driving around for awhile, arrived at Barrow’s. An inquiry at the front desk gave us her room number. We rode the elevator to her floor in excited anticipation, planning on the songs we would sing for her. As we arrived at her room, we started singing. I will never forget the lovely smile and excitement in her eyes as she recognized us.
My family sang for her for perhaps twenty minutes. People from all over the floor came as they heard the music. Finally, we stopped singing and wished her and everyone there a Merry Christmas as we left. We walked back to our van quietly, and really didn’t talk all that much as we made the drive back to Mesa.
I don’t remember anything else about that Christmas: what I got, what anyone else got, or anything else we did. Without a doubt, it was the best Christmas I remember, because we shared the love and joy of the season with a dear friend in need. It was only two more years until she had passed on. But the memory of singing to her that Christmas day lingers on in our family.
That's How You Know
1 week ago
3 comments:
I remember that Christmas, too. I appreciate you bringing it up, though, 'cause it's been a while since I thought of it. It is good to be reminded of what is really important at this time of year (and always, for that matter). Love you both so much - come visit again soon!
I remember that too! It was a sweet experience, and I remember that for some reason that year, presents just weren't as important as usual. It was just nice to be together. Love you!
I remember that Christmas too! I don't remember a lot about it, but I remember visiting Nanna Kagy! I remember how her smile lit up the room! I loved that Christmas too. Thanks!
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