Pez

This morning started out with some Pez, and if you've got that, you can't go wrong, right?  Right!  Jingle Bell wanted to make himself a Pez, and when you think about it, it's only a matter of time before there's an Elf on the Shelf Pez dispenser out there.  Until then, we've got a perfectly decent one apparently, as Jingle took it upon himself to make a new Pez for Madison, while surrounding himself with some of those classic Christmas Pez dispensers out there.

Today was a work day for Daddy, and a recovery day for Madison, who has been coughing quite a bit lately.  We took the day off for ballet, because she's been exerting herself quite a bit, and when she does that, it is easy to become winded and coughing excessively.  That said, she'll be fine if she rests tonight.

The biggest news of the day is here:

We nominated Aunt Shain and her family for the 104.7 the Fish's Christmas Wish program, hoping some sponsor would call and help her with the tremendous hole they've been in lately.  Basically, Uncle Dave lost his job due to the cancer treatments, and the mortgage has been in trouble, as has Christmas.  And with just one phone call, help came big time.  Walton Gas, a corporation in Monroe, took it upon themselves to sponsor the Berry Family and catch them up on the mortgage, and bless the kids with gift cards, and a $500 gift card to Publix, as well as a Honey Baked Ham.  It was a wonderful moment, one we're all so grateful for.   Words can't really describe how wonderfully surreal this has all been.  As we wrap up for the day, Daddy wrote a letter of thanks to Walton Gas for their astounding generosity:

To everyone involved at Walton Gas,

     Last month I nominated my sister Shain for the "FISH Christmas Wish Program," something Walton Gas has chosen to help with.  But the word "help" doesn't seem to describe what Walton Gas has chosen to do for our family.  It is simply overwhelming, and honestly pretty difficult to understand how someone we don't even know could be so astonishingly generous to complete strangers!

     Very early this year, my sister's husband began to notice the difficulties with his health.  Like many under similar circumstances, he had no idea he was already dealing with cancer.  In less than a few months, his condition deteriorated rapidly, and my sister had to step up to do what she could to handle the situation.  They have three children, with all the traveling to and fro, and now hospital visits for chemotherapy and radiation.  He lost his job, and therefore the family's ability to take care of the mortgage took a serious hit.  She started working more, balancing all the transportation issues the best she could.  Unfortunately, the hospital visits have gotten more extensive lately, due to blood clots and fainting spells due to his inability to keep food down.  The only thing we can do for him is pray, which of course we have been doing extensively.

     Yet Walton Gas has done something beyond anything we could have ever hoped.  She's been so busy lately, my sister hasn't been answering other phone calls as much, so we told her she HAD to answer this one phone call from you a few days ago.  But she had no idea what it was going to be!  She was simply stunned - in a good way!  And she has been that way for the last few days.  Furthermore, our parents were sharing tears of joy with her when they heard the news.  This has been one of the darkest seasons, but suddenly Walton Gas stepped in with light, with hope, and with love.  

     It is impossible to articulate how grateful we are.  But here I am trying anyway, because I just have to tell you how thankful we are for your most wonderful gift.  It has truly saved Christmas, and it has saved a family.

Merry Christmas!