We warned both of our parents and families to not expect us to visit at Christmastime. We just did not want to bring our gloom and our sadness into their Christmas happiness. Christmas Eve was certainly not what we had expected earlier that year. Kristi was still hospitalized and we were going home to an empty house of pure sorrow and loneliness.

But our kind and caring neighbors knew of our sadness and our insurmountable grief. These neighbors without any regard for themselves or their family called Susie and myself on Christmas Eve and invited us to come to their home. They wanted us to share this glorious evening with them and their family. After much pleading and convincing on their part we finally accepted their heartfelt invitation.

This was to become the Christmas we shall never forget. That night we felt more love and more kindness than one could ever expect. They made us part of their family that Christmas Eve as we sang beautiful songs, feasted on a delicious home-cooked meal and shared, most importantly, concern, warm feelings, and appreciation for each other. That evening I realized, more so than ever, that Christmas is love!

Kristi's illness was devastating. Her doctors did everything they could but she peacefully and quietly passed away just a few weeks after Christmas. But even in those disheartening and discouraging hours, she taught us and gave us the opportunity to learn more about Christmas than we had ever learned before.

On Kristi's little grave marker is written a constant reminder of the love shown to us during that special Christmas:

"Your life, though brief

Was rich and full

You taught us love."

I shall never forget our sweet daughter or that sacred Christmas, because during those darkest hours, I discovered that the true meaning and purpose for celebrating Christmas is the sharing of love, as Christ shared his love for us.

About the author

Dr. George Van Komen, Salt Lake City, was born in Amsterdam, Holland. He immigrated with his parents to Salt Lake City when he was 4 years old. He graduated from South High School, did undergraduate work at the University of Utah and then received his M.D. degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C. He has been married to his wife, Susan, for 37 years, and they are the parents of two daughters. He enjoys reading, collecting church books, playing chess and exercising.