The holiday season is not always happy for everyone. No matter how you feel right now, the truth is that this time of year is often filled with emotions for everyone. If this month has been hard for you, I am with you. 

Our mom recently became critically ill in the hospital in Naples, Florida, and required a lot of intense care very quickly. 

My brother Tyler and I flew down to be by her side once we got the scary phone call from the doctor informing us how sick she was, and how she was being moved into the ICU. 

We thought we’d only be gone for 48 hours (and that’s what we packed for) but in reality, we had to stay much longer. Our prayers and presence by her side really helped, and she pulled through. God is good!

While she has improved, she still has a long road ahead. She will go to a rehab facility where she will work on getting stronger and getting better for a few weeks before going back home. 

We have so much gratitude for the doctors and nurses at Physicians Regional Hospital who helped save her life and get her better. We are also grateful that her wonderful minister also came to be with us to pray for her. Honestly, so many acts of kindness have made the past month better for our family. Whether it was a place to stay in Naples, a delicious meal to feed us, a festive wreath delivered to our front door, or a phone call to cheer us up, we have been moved by the many thoughtful gestures. No one ever prepares you for this stage of life, so we appreciate the kindness. Thank you to everyone who checked in on us and prayed for our mom to pull through this. 

Let’s all now pay it forward this Christmas season by being kind to others. 

Let’s all be gentle with each other during this time. Check-in on your loved ones.

I know our mom would want that too. 

Merry Christmas!

xoxo Nina