I wear this necklace every year to the kids’ Christmas program at church. In monetary value it’s worth about $1.99 in glass beads and string. In sentimental value, it is priceless. Here’s the story:

Back in December of 1991, our 9 year old daughter, Katie, was fighting for her life in the intensive care unit at Marshfield Hospital. In a matter of days, she had gone from having a rash to being deathly ill. A few weeks before this sudden turn of events, Katie was learning how to make beaded necklaces at a friend’s house. She and her crafty buddy, Leah, had gotten about halfway done with what was to be my Christmas present and the plan was to finish it together the following week.

But by then, our little girl was in pediatric ICU, 80 miles away from home. Grandpa and Grandma came to take care of our other three children and the churches we were serving. My hubby and I took turns keeping vigil at our sweet girl’s bedside; one of us stayed at the hospital while the other one tried to sleep at the Ronald McDonald House across the street.

A few days before Christmas, blond haired, blue eyed Leah made her way down the hospital corridor and found her friend’s room. She carried with her a box carefully wrapped and tagged with my name. She told me that this was a gift that Katie had intended to give me for Christmas and she figured she better get it to the hospital so Katie could give me my present. Inside the package was the finished beaded necklace. I had never seen a more beautiful piece of jewelry. I didn’t take it off until we brought our girl home 3 weeks later.

I wear it every Christmas so I don’t forget how thankful I am that we have four healthy children. And also not to forget that there are many parents sitting in waiting rooms and hospital rooms who are facing the toughest days of their lives.

Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father. Matthew 18:10