The Most Precious Gift!

Some days are ordinary, some come with surprises. Some days are special, some are to remember always. But then. . . . . One of those days comes that you just KNOW rank up there with the best of the best. . .A day you will never forget for the rest of your life.

And yesterday was one of those days for me.

It started out as maybe a "2" on a scale of 1 to 10 -- 10 being a really good day. I had not slept well as I just don't sleep at all if I have to lie flat on my back and not on my side. I laid there, staring at the ceiling, wondering if I would ever fall asleep. Buster was snoring away, not a care or problem in the world, and that seemed comforting to me. My left breast was hurting from the biopsy and felt as though someone had clamped my nipple to my nose as they used a huge drill bit to do this biopsy. My right chest felt as though they had inserted a cement building block in there. Other than that, I was ok! I finally got up at 4:00 am, made some coffee, and walked about a mile back and forth in the dark, in my nightie, up and down my little sidewalk. Buster just walked beside me as we listened to the whipporwills, the tree frogs answering each other, and the sound of a train far off in the distance. It was calming, actually!

The rest of the day was uneventful, though I seemed not able to concentrate much on any one thing. I felt I was "wandering."

My Brother-in-law brought me my mail early in the evening, and I was surprised to find a package there. I had not ordered anything and wondered what it was. Oh yes! Lea from Farmhouse Blessings had told me a package was coming, as my friend, Colton, had a gift for me.



I want to tell you something, it was a life-changer for me. I haven't been the same since i unwrapped Colton's present. There I stood with big tears running down my cheeks as I held a Barbie Doll in my hands!!!!! Go ahead and laugh if you want. I know I sound like a silly goose here, but it caught me off guard, believe me. First, I knew how much time he had spent looking for just the right gift. Lea had told me that much. And he just KNEW this was IT! There was Barbie, all dressed up in her pink princess dress, with a pink crown! and on the back of the packaging it said, "A beautiful Princess, just like YOU!"



Now don't tell me you wouldn't just swell up like an overgrown ofe and feel like the most special woman in the world for that one moment in time!!!! I never had a Barbie in my whole life. And now???? Here, a little ten year old spends his saved-up money on an old lady who's sick and buys a Barbie Doll dressed as a pink princess to help me feel better.

I just hugged that doll, and I thanked the Lord over and over for the simple love of a child who reaches into his heart and finds more to give than some of us do in a whole adult lifetime!!!!! Of all the gifts I've EVER received, this one just hit the core of my heart, let me tell you!

So when I calmed myself down, I wrote Colton a thank you note. I have to share it with you, as you won't understand his response later on if you don't read this:

Dear Colton!

Today, the mail lady brought a big box to
my door, and I was so excited because I really like getting surprises. And since your Mom told me to be expecting a box, I looked right away to see, and sure enough, it was from YOU!!!!!!

I just tore into that box because I couldn't wait to see what was jiggling around in there!

I put everything on the table, and there was a special present there with pretty paper on it. . . . and it said it was from "Colton!" Now THAT was the one I certainly wanted to open FIRST! I tried to guess what it was, but I just couldn't wait, so I ripped that paper off. . . . .

And I just started crying! I don't think I EVER in my WHOLE LIFE had anyone who thought I was a princess and gave me a princess doll. And FOR SURE, I NEVER had a Barbie doll of my very own, so this was surely a very special day for me. I think you made this day the happiest one ever, and I won't ever forget it! Thank you soooooooo much for thinking of me, and especially for praying for me. I know that I'm really safe and protected by God because I know that Colton prays for me every day!

I want you to know, Colton, that you are the most special guy in my life and that I love you with all my heart! I wish I could just reach through this computer screen and give you the biggest bear hug that anyone has ever given you!

Just remember that when you are praying for ME, I'm praying for YOU so our prayers are crossing each other all the time!!!!!

Thank you again for my princess! I will keep her near me all the time, you can count on that!!!!!

Love you!!!!
Cora


And then, a little later, I got an email back from Colton. . . which was almost as precious as the doll itself:

I just read your letter to Colton and he smilled REALLY big and said "Oh man!" He wrote youa reply and here it is ... unedited and unabridged. (Smile)



Dear Cora,

Are you feeling better? God is with you and I hope that you are feeling better. Maybe if you pray, you will feel better. I know that God will touch you.



I think YOU are a present. I love you Cora.



I know this is the first barbie doll you've had in your whole life. Me & mom looked in the girls stuff to find it. And sure enough I found a baby doll that would make you happy.



Hope you feel better.



Love,

Colton



I know there will be tough days ahead of me, when I wonder if it will all be worth the bother. I know emotions will run wild, strength will be at a minimum, the will to fight will fall off, and I'll be crying, "Why me?" and I won't find a song or a verse in the night hours of this journey.

But you know what? Just the thought of this little, precious friend of mine praying for me, and seeing this little Barbie Princess will be the best encouragement I could ever have. You know why????? Because I KNOW Colton approaches the Throne of Grace with a simple faith that trusts the Father with EVERYTHING!!!!!

Colton, God has sent you into my life because you have walked through places I have never been and you are willing to take my hand and lead me and remind me that everything will be OK just because God said so!

Now someone please tell me if there can POSSIBLY be a better day than this!!!!!