A Wonderful Christmas Thank You!

Tis the season to celebrate the wonders of the Lord. Here's an update and a thank you from Emily's mother. How appropriate for this Christmas season. Enjoy these wonderful 12 days that most of the world will be missing :(

First let me wish everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS.

I know everyone is wondering how Emily's tongue is doing. Well that answer is what Christmas is all about. Gods best miracles. She is completely cancer free. Her recent CT scan came back clear. Just some scar tissue from the surgery. She is also pain free and eating everything she wants. She finished up her semester making all "A's". Which is pretty amazing considering she missed 2 months of school. She only had to drop 2 classes because of clinicals. She will be finishing her degree in May and then graduate. My husband told Emily how he can't wait for her graduation. Emily asked why? She said "Dad you hate those things." He said, "Emily, I can promise you that this graduation I would not miss for anything."

Jesus promised where 2 or more are gathered he is there. Emily got her miracle. I have to say this again, it was because of all of your prayers and faith. Believe me I had many hopeless moments. Times when I looked up and just cried. In September I was told I had less than a year left with my first born child. This Christmas was suppose to be our last one on earth together. But everyone said wait. God has the last word. He is the true physician. Prayer services where held. No one gave up hope. So many of you emailed me and promised not to stop praying for a miracle. Well I still cannot believe My baby is OK. Better than OK. She is perfect. She can talk, eat, laugh, and live. While I would never want this for anyone, I would gladly go through it again. My faith grew tenfold. I saw how strong my daughter was. She brought a huge family closer (I mean everyone reading this). I witnessed my brothers and sister's unconditional love and faith. Friends became family. Through these emails we laughed, cried, and waited. We prayed and hoped. We cared. Many of you have never met my daughter and you loved her.

God so loved us that he gave us his only son. Jesus said trust me and if you can't trust my words than trust my wounds. Our mother Mary said "yes" and all that came with being the mother of God. Heaven is really there. In 2 days we will celebrate the birthday of Our Lord. Christ the King.

This Christmas our family promises to take a moment and remember each of you. All your kindness for our family. All your love and support. All of your tireless praying. Jesus said to love God with all our being, then he said to love our neighbor as ourselves. All of you have done this.

If you feel you haven't done enough good this year, you are wrong. You loved our family. In the darkest hours of my life, you listened and wept with me. You visited me with your words when I was in a what felt like prison. Many of you brought food when we were hungry at long days of chemo. And yes, many of you clothed us with blankets and items to keep Emily warm and occupied. We were lonely and so many of you sat at the hospital with us. The amount of tears I shed is only a drop in comparison to the love and support you sent me. How can "Thank you" be enough. It will have to do.

Truly you have been good. Your reward is not in this world but in the one to come. Where it will never be lost or stolen.

May our future St. Pier Giorgio Frassati pray for us!

God bless you and again Merry Christmas,

Love,

Theresa, Emily and All of the family!