NOTHING LIKE I HAD IMAGINED

I couldn't post just one letter today, because I've received so many touching ones. This one, from Brian, tells the story of their son, and what he has taught them about life, love and making room for the Savior.

I would like to share with you the story of how one Christmas has changed my wife's and my life forever. It will be thirteen years ago this Christmas we awaited the birth of our first child. We had been married for ten years but had no children as yet. Getting nearer to her "due date", we, like other new parents, [were] growing with excitement by decorating the new nursery, picking out possible names etc. Our baby was due on Dec 11. As things progressed and became close, the doctors made a plan to "induce" Cindy if she did not go into labor. This was planned for Dec 18th. The drive to the hospital was calm. We even stopped for a bite to eat as they said it would be a long night. We talked bout our final choices for names. For some reason we seemed to know it was going to be a son.

I still remember thinking how I would teach our child to read, ride a bike, take to the park and play catch with. After arriving at the hospital and checking in, they were monitoring the vital signs of both mom and child. They said our child had turned during the last week and may be in trouble. A caesarian may be best, the doctor advised. At 10:18 our son was born. I did not hear the usual cries I had expected. They rushed our son to a special bed to take care of him. I later found out he was not breathing and needed some help. After 24 hours they wheeled our son by my wife's room so she could see him for the first time and before he has taken by helicopter to the hospital.

We were able to take him home after two weeks. After many months and seeing our son with delayed development, I knew raising him would be nothing like I had imagined. I did learn of our son's love to be held like a Teddy Bear and his love for music. Since then we have noticed that he responds differently to and loves inspirational music, especially music about the Savior Jesus Christ. I know he knows about Jesus Christ, that he his our Brother, our Savior and our Friend. Our home is now filled with this music.

My son and I have a close relationship and have shared many spiritual experiences together. I owe him much because he has helped me become closer to the Savior. I watch were ever he goes, he shares a contagious smile with those he is in contact with. We spend Sunday afternoons listening to music from some of his favorite artists, always checking that www thing for something new.

When he heard your song about "Making Room for The Savior", you could see the glow in his eyes that it spoke of someone dear to his heart. Thank you for sharing your gift with us all that we may all make more room in our hearts and our lives for the Savior. May we all "Be a little kinder, a little more generous, a little more thoughtful of one another" even to strive to be more like the Savior. As Tiny Tim said "Merry Christmas and God Bless us everyone."