Christmas 2007 Letter to Family and Friends

My Christmas letter this year is extremely difficult to write. As many of you know, my sweetheart, Louie, is in the midst of the deadly disease called CJD. This all came on so fast and is moving too quickly. This disease is extremely rare (about one in a million), but in Louie’s case, it is a genetic disease, which has already taken 10 family members. We are struggling to come to terms with the reality of knowing we will be losing each other in the near future. This is the most difficult pain I have ever experienced.

Even at this difficult time, we can see so many miracles that God has and continues to bless us with. First of all, God had worked in Louie’s heart and life the past year, which brought Louie to know Jesus as his Friend and Savior. Thus, we know that God had foreknowledge of this and ensured that Louie would never be separated from the love of Christ. What a huge comfort this is to both of us!!!

Other blessings keep coming – reconciliation with estranged loved ones, family members coming for visits, countless acts of kindness, love and support from our church family, Pastor Terry who is a constant source of strength and comfort, my dear friend, Sandi, who is truly an angel from God, finding compassionate and caring medical staff, and now the gift of hospice which gives us so much help and comfort.

I can’t leave out the joys of this past year as well. Our little Gabriella turned one in November and is such a happy, adorable, and joyful child. We are so very thankful that God brought her back to full health after the spinal meningitis right after her birth. Every moment with her is pure delight. She remembers “Gramma” now and every time she sees me, she wants me to pick her up (that sure warms my heart immensely). Being a grandparent is awesome!! We have had precious time with Steph, Pete and Gabriella all year!!

My sister, Julie, and niece, Heidi, met Steph, Gabriella and me in Seattle in July for a long weekend. We had SOOO much fun together. Julie treated us all to dinner at the top of the Space Needle – it was an awesome experience we will all remember and cherish. Mt. Ranier was in perfect view with the clear blue sky.

We didn’t take any trips this year due to my knee surgery, but did go to the Coast a couple times. Louie spent countless hours in the mountains on his ATV and hunting – he absolutely LOVED being in the mountains. It breaks my heart that his life is being cut short so he can’t do the things he loved so much!!

I just can’t imagine my life without Louie – we did everything together. I will be just lost without him. It is almost unbearable to think about. I know that I have to remember what it says in the Bible: “Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are destitute, in danger or threatened by death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loves us. I am convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love - neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow. Nothing in creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Hence, it is HIS birth we celebrate each Christmas!!

Sending warm wishes to each of you with love,
Connie & Louie