A Wonderful Christmas!

Michelle and me on Christmas Morning

Good Morning!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas celebration yesterday! For me and my family, it was definitely the best Christmas we have had in many years!

There are hundreds of reasons that Christmas has always been my favorite holiday.

When I think back on my childhood Christmases I remember Christmas Eve dinner at my Grandma’s house and eating the most delicious Italian food, I remember driving around- looking at the beautiful Christmas lights, I remember arriving home late and being allowed to open “just 1” Christmas present- which undoubtedly, was always matching Christmas PJ’s for my sisters and I! I remember leaving out homemade Christmas cookies for Santa, and some carrots for his reindeer- (and being sooo excited to find them eaten the next morning!), I remember lying awake in bed with pure excitement and anticipation for Santa to come, hoping he would bring me everything I had asked for. But most of all I remember the great lengths my parents went through to make sure my sisters and I always had the best Christmas possible, filled with lots of special memories.

I don’t think that many people can understand what the holidays are like for someone who is ill, especially a long-term illness that involves tremendous amounts of pain. During the past years of my illness, Christmastime was always very difficult for me and my family. From smelling the delicious food that I could not eat, to the lights and sounds I could not tolerate, to being in too much pain and feeling too ill to even open my gifts on Christmas morning with my family... It was very hard to find the “Christmas spirit” while dealing with the reality of the situation, but I think I can speak for my entire family when I say that this year, the Christmas spirit was alive and well in Mexico!

This year I really felt like I was a little kid again, experiencing the magic of Christmas for the very first time! From the food, to the lights, the decorations and the music… It has been been so amazing just getting the chance to enjoy Christmas day with my family once again! The best part, for me, was seeing the looks on my Dad and sister Michelle’s faces when they walked in and saw me sitting up in my recliner chair waiting for them! They were both shocked and amazed to see the progress I have made since I last saw them over the summer!

This Christmas I am incredibly thankful to be alive, to be re-gaining my health, to have an amazing family who loves me, and to know that I am never alone- in anything. I am thankful for the opportunity to see and experience the holiday for it’s true meaning, through a completely different perspective than ever before!

I am most especially thankful to Dr. Cantu! Without him my family and I would not be here enjoying this day together.

I am thankful for answered prayers… for everything!

We thank God and praise Him for carrying us to where we are today!!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Merry Christmas & Feliz Navidad to all!

In God’s Love,

Jessica (& the Stevens family)

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Remembering my brother Charlie........

Hi to all~

Today is the 10th anniversary of the passing of my dear brother, Charlie Gelo @ age 40 after a long battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

I miss him terribly but, the one thing I miss the most about him was his unique and funny sense of humor. Charlie was the type of person that lit up a room and he was the one you would want to have at your party because he always had a funny joke or story to tell.

So, in honor of him I'd like to present to you all his "funny" version of the 12 days of Christmas- the "Italian" `12 days of Christmas.

Sung to the tune of "The Twelve Days of Christmas":

On the first day of Christmas, my Italian Grandma made for me...

a creamy ricotta cheesecake

2nd Day- 2 Meatballs
3rd Day- 3 Calamari
4th Day- 4 Broccoli rabe
5th Day- 5 Rice-a-balls
6th Day- 6 Baccala
7th Day- 7 Fig cookies
8th Day- 8 Artichokes
9th Day- 9 Honey Balls
10th Day- 10 Linguini with Clams
11th Day- 11 Shrimp Scampi
12th Day- 12 Zeppoles

Enjoy!

From a loving sister,
Sarah Gina


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A Special Christmas...

Blessings to All from Monterrey,

Wow! I can't believe that Christmas is only 13 days away. It seems like only yesterday that we were celebrating a magnificent Thanksgiving celebration here in the apartment with Jessica's doctors! That was such a very special day - and probably one of the most amazing Thanksgivings Jessica and I have ever had! Just imagine Jessica being able to eat turkey and all of its trimmings for the first time in years - and then - just imagine being able to share that meal with the doctors who have been by your side these past 15 months - and better yet - Dr. Cantu (aka Dr. "Green Shirt") carving the very turkey you are about to eat!!! I think it is so hard to put into words the joy that I felt for Jessica and her doctors that day --- it's beyond words and a memory that will be forever etched in my mind and in all the doctors and their families who were here that night! Not only did God bless us with wonderful company - but I must say - the turkey was the Best turkey I have ever made --- and I have made many!!! We all had a good laugh, though, when Dr. Cantu informed us all that the turkey was so delicious due to his wonderful carving --- hahaha --- and not due to the 4 hours or so it took me to cook it!!! Oh well --- I think I will let him have the credit for the turkey this time --- he deserves it!!! Also, there was not a dry eye in the room as they watched a special "Thank You" video presentation that Jessica had made on her computer to honor them. It included special photos and songs of her journey so far. I know it goes without saying how very proud I am of my daughter - she makes me so very proud to be called her Mom!


And, now, Christmas is once again upon us, and oh, what a difference a year can make!!!

For all of you who follow this blog and faithfully pray for Jessica each and every day - thank you All and may God bless you and your families during this --- the most special time of the year - Christmas - the birth of our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Last Christmas, as you may recall, was a very difficult time for Jessica. She had been experiencing many difficulties post the coma, including major infections and the neurological problems she was experiencing with her eyesight --- she couldn't see --- her visual field was plagued by green static vision. That, coupled with the intense, unbearable pain, fevers, lesions, tubes, etc.......to name a few ...... made it a very stressful time to say the least! But, I do remember the Christmas miracle last year as her sight was restored after Dr. Cantu put her back in the ICU. They say that God helps to erase those painful memories in time, and, I am grateful to say, I try not to think and remember them as much as I can. But, I do think that it is important in life to remember where you have been. You have to reflect on the road traveled so far, to realize how very far you have come and how, with faith and prayers and the love and grace of God, and, in Jessica's case, amazing doctors, ALL things are truly possible!


We, as a family, are so looking forward to this Christmas! As I write this blog, Jessica is listening to Christmas music --- something she hasn't been able to do for a number of years due to her extreme noise sensitivity! Last night, we were able to watch a movie on TV called "It's A Wonderful Life" - something she also hasn't been able to do for the past years due to her photo-phobia - or extreme light sensitivity! I am cooking up a storm! For those of you who know me, I love to cook. It is my hobby and one that I enjoy so much --- it is a great stress reliever for me. It is such a pleasure to be able to cook for Jessica once again, and for her to be able to enjoy eating again - another thing she can now enjoy once again since she no longer has her J-feeding tube in her intestines! This morning, we had such a good laugh, over something so silly --- but --- even that is a milestone for us! You see, she can now laugh again, because, she is in so much less pain than a year ago! ALL of these "little" things are really "Big" things for patients like Jessica, who have experienced pain and sickness on a level that, even as her Mom, I can never, ever, really fully understand!

In just under two weeks, Jessica's Dad and sister Michelle are coming for Christmas. Katherine will be spending Christmas with her Grandma and my family in Marco Island and instead will be coming to Monterrey in January to help Jessica and I celebrate our birthdays.

It goes without saying, but, I believe that this Christmas will be a very special one. For Jessica, she will be able to enjoy all the sights, sounds, and tastings of Christmas - something she hasn't been able to do for a number of years. For me, I can honestly say that I will be able to "breathe again" this Christmas and just be happy in seeing Jessica happy again!

Remember that these are the special times of Christmas. A time when we reflect on the true meaning of Christmas - as we celebrate His birth - and all of its magnificence and splendor. It is because of Jesus that we have life! As a Christian, I know, that thru Him All things are possible and All things are New once again.... I know this, Jessica knows this.......our hope is that You know this as well!

Merry Christmas --- Keep Christ in Christmas!!!

In God's love, always,
Sarah Gina (Mom to 3)***


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