First Christmas in Heaven

In March of 2001 my only sister died of Melanoma. Christmas of 2001 and 2002 my sister's daughter and husband traveled from their home in Alabama to spend the holiday with us. My mom was able to come from MS and as a family we grieved together the loss of my sister. By Christmas of 2002, my husband had been diagnosed with Melanoma but we just could not allow ourselves to even think that he would lose his battle too. But Christmas of 2003 found me grieving his loss. It was almost inconceivable to me that both my sister and my husband were gone. The thought of Christmas without my husband made me almost ill. Then as it approached, it soon came into focus that none of my family was able to come for the holidays. My mom's health was too fragile for her to make the trip and my neice could not come either. My son and his wife had her family as well as me to split their time with, and it became apparent to me on about December 17 that I would be alone much of Christmas Eve. It was almost more than I could bear....and yet during that time God spoke to my heart and I knew that He would be my sustainer, and I would be okay. During this time someone shared the following poem...it brought me much strength as I faced my first Christmas without Mike. May it bring you strength as well and may God hold you close.

First Christmas in Heaven

by Wanda Bencke

I see the countless Christmas Trees

Around the world below

With tiny lights

Like heaven's stars

Reflecting on the snow

The sight is so spectacular
Please wipe away that tear

For I am spending Christmas

With Jesus Christ this year

I hear the many Christmas songs

That people hold so dear

But the sounds of music can't compare

With the Christmas choir up here

I have no words to tell you

The joy their voices bring

For it is beyond description

To hear the angels sing

I know how much you miss me

I see the pain inside your heart

But I am not so far away

We really aren't apart

So be happy for me dear ones

You know I hold you dear

And be glad I'm spending Christmas

With Jesus Christ this year

I send you each a special gift

From my heavenly home above

I send you each a memory ofMy undying love

After all "love" is the gift

More precious than pure gold

It was always most important

In the stories Jesus told

Please love and keep each other

As my Father said to do

For I can't count the blessing

Or love he has for each of you
So have a Merry Christmas

And wipe away that tear

Remember I am spending Christmas

With Jesus Christ this year.
A note from the author "Wanda Bencke"Lysandra Kay Bencke was my thirteen year old handicapped daughter.On Christmas day 1997, Lysandra had a seizure and was in a coma for five days before she passed away.During those five days I wrote"Christmas in Heaven".