This post is going to be short and sweet because I want to spend this special time with my family; however, I promised to have a winner for the Christmas giveaway announced tonight. I received so many heartfelt stories and had such a difficult time narrowing it down to just one. I thought I had finally made up my mind, however, just as the contest was closing, I received one last entry. I read it once, and when I got to the bottom of the e-mail, I read it again. And then one more time. Colette, thank you for nominating your dear friend Jeremy Wighton. He is a man who has made many incredible sacrifices for his family.

Here is a short excerpt from Colette’s letter:

If wallets were the size of hearts, Jeremy Wighton would be rich. But, it’s not the case. It seems the Universe has an insatiable drive to test Jeremy’s strength and a part of that strength is money, or the lack of. What keeps his going, his reason for being, is his love for his children. Twenty six and a single father of three, every phone conversation in our youth derived friendship is based around leaden detail of the latest blow that has hit him and his little family. Though a candid, natural light photo shoot for Jeremy and his children will not solve the daily feats they battle with, it would surely capture the heart of what it’s all about – the bond of love that keeps them surging forward. What a priceless and beautiful gift to receive for this family. There isn’t a chance that Jeremy would use spare money, in this time of his life, to have this time capsule made for his family.

Jeremy’s youngest daughter Abby was diagnosed with with MPS1 Hurlers, a storage disease that has life limiting effects: developmental delay, hearing loss, prominent forehead, enlarged liver, flattened bridged nose, abnormal rib cage, hairiness, cloudy eyes, noisy breathing, frequent ear infections, enlarged tongue and abdomen. It was terrible news. She needed a stem cell transplant. Over a week, all members of the family were tested for a match, but none did. From the time of diagnosis, Abby was sent to Sick Kids in Toronto weekly for enzyme treatments and testing, having a central line operation (a catheter tube run through a vein ending in the right atrium of her heart) put in for easy medicating. Jeremy and his parents took time from work to drive and support his little one.

The stress of Abby’s condition, with the possible fate of death, was horrific on top of dealing with near lapsing mortgage payments and an employer that was strained with his absenteeism. Because of all of the time Jeremy had to take off work for Abby’s doctor’s appointments, he was no longer able to hold down his job. Jeremy spoke to me and sighed another sigh of resignation to the will of the Universe. Nothing sees to surprise him anymore regarding income setbacks. It amazes me how he can be so strong, but his existence is so unselfish that there isn’t room to have it any other way. For his children, his settings are on survive and this is how he is getting through. This and an unwavering network of friends and family to carry him.

The  The best news, a miracle, was given to Jeremy and Abby in the form of a cord blood donation from a baby girl in the United States. Abby is set to receive a stem cell transplant tomorrow, on the eve of Christmas.  Abby has been receiving her chemotherapy for the last week and been doing as well as can be expected. Jeremy’s family, children and all, visited the two of them in the hospital a few days ago. They gave Abby a GI Jane haircut to prepare for the loss of her hair. In pictures she is beautifully awake and enjoying her family visit with her new do. They still have a long road ahead. Abby’s immune system has essentially been wiped out, so for three months they will be in the hospital – in one secluded room – and for 9 months she will be secluded at home. Jeremy has had to tear up his carpets, paint his walls, and rid himself of many of his and his  children’s personal items that could carry bacteria jeopardizing Abby’s health.

This man has seen more pain in the last year than I hope to ever see in my life. Behind this fatherly tower of strength, I see my childhood friend, the one I lived in Banff with: dancing excitedly in our room over the release of a Ben Harper CD, laughing while hitchhiking up to the snow hill to board and watching movies in bed while eating the noodles, but saving me the broth of our one packet of Mr. Noodles. In the brunt of these tough times, I know there is still that goofy, laissez faire friend of mine in Jer. Beneath it all, he is still there, playing tricks on his children and calling them by fictitious names like, “Meatball.”

No one has thrown Abby a benefit to aid the cost of gas, hotel stays, loss of wage, etc. It may be in the cards, but it hasn’t happened yet and money is a constant worry for Jeremy. I would love for him to receive your priceless gift on the night of his daughter’s transplant. It will be an absolute breath of fresh air to receive such good news, perhaps a sign of luck. And though it would be a short lived joy tomorrow night, the day Abby can go outside and play in the grass with her siblings and elated father – for amazing photos! – will be a beautiful day and I can count on all my fingers and tows and then some, how many other people supporting this family will cherish these photos.

NOTE TO MY READERS: Sorry this has been posted on Christmas Day rather than Christmas Eve. My little Lilah is teething and wanted to nurse all night long – I kept trying to sneak downstairs to write this post, but she was so miserable and just wanted her mommy. I finally fell asleep without  getting to the computer – so please don’t be too upset with me!!! I’m sure everyone who posted an entry will agree that Jeremy is so deserving of this photo session. I feel honoured and humbled to be able to do something, however miniscule, to give this family some much deserved joy (or even just a few smiles!) on Christmas Day…

To everyone who is reading this post, please send your thoughts and prayers to Jeremy, his family, and (most of all) little Abby this holiday season…