A Christmas miracle ...

This is the story of a magical night. 

As some of you might remember, a few months ago a dear neighbor came and gave me the money she had gathered selling hot chocolate last Christmas. She never found a charity to give it to, and I was a deserving cause according to her.

Well, a few weeks ago she told me they would be selling hot chocolate again this year and I was the 'official' cause this time. I felt blessed. Overwhelmed. Happy. In tears. Thankful.

Every year for Christmas, our whole area puts lights on the houses, lawns, some like big blow-up figures, others flashy lights. There's a lot of lit reindeer, Santas, snowmen, candy canes, nutcrackers. Some go really all out and install spotlights that shoot way up in the sky, or screens that run movies all night. Down the road there's a very dedicated Santa that shows up every day from 7 to 9 to greet each car. Sometimes he's joined by Mrs. Claus and I think there's even an elf. Anyway. It's a big show and people love it. Tons of cars driving by, buses sometimes too. You really have to time it if you have to go somewhere, and try to get out before the craziness begins. But it's all worth it. Children love it and why not say it, adults too. I think we just use the children as an excuse to drive and see the lights.

Everyone in this household was excited about the hot chocolate sale. It's a big night.

But I'm also Chilean. And we, as Chileans, are always expecting the worst to happen. All the time. I was sure something would happen the night that the hot chocolate was going to be sold. Horrible storm. Electrical outage. Snow blizzard. Heck, we don't have earthquakes here, but that could also happen. You just never know.

But nothing happened. All my little helpers had their Santa hats on and out we went. Everything was set up to sell the hot chocolate. Table, music, big electric kettles, cups and lids. But what I saw the most was love. My neighbor's family from Quebec had come to stay with them for Christmas, they don't speak a lot of english, had never met me before, but all I found was big hugs from them. Big smiles. Other neighbors joined in too. Children, all helping for the cause. My cause. MS. It still makes me tear up a bit. There were signs 'Hot Chocolate $1 for MS'. 

Some people felt the need to park their cars, get out in the cold and come to talk to me. Give me a hug. They knew someone with MS. A sister, a brother, a parent, a daughter or a friend had MS. There was this girl that still makes me regret not having more time to talk to her and her mother. Her family thought she had a stroke, she was in the hospital for 2 weeks without being able to move. Then she started walking with difficulty. She was walking to me with a cane, all I could think of is 'I hope it's not MS'. Then her Mom tells me she had been diagnosed with MS two days before. She's 22. It broke my heart, still does. So young. I wish I could send a message to her to somehow to find me again. You never know. I kept telling her Mom 'HSCT, remember, HSCT. Read about it please !!'. I really hope she remembered.

Anyway ... all the hugs from people I don't know, all the encouraging words. Having my family there, my neighbors, people just happy to give, made me realize I'm so lucky. I don't know how else to explain it.

I'd like to share some pictures of that magical night with all of you.

This is what my neighbor's house looks like. I look at it every night from my window. Beautiful.

I even got to have the help from Santa !!

Wish I knew her name. All the best to her !!

Yes, pups wanted to help too !!

This was the hot chocolate serving station with the direct help of my 3 yr old.

Me and Julie.

Anyway ... it was a big night. Big hit. People were very generous. I feel blessed, once again, to have so much love around me.

Have a wonderful last few days of 2014 and may the new year bring you happiness, love and laughter.

:)