I didn’t know that this holiday season would be the most special I will experience. Not because it’s the first one we will have in our new home. Not because it’s the first one we will celebrate with my mother and sister-in-law; in fact, it isn’t because of any ‘firsts’ at all. Rather, it is because of ‘lasts’.

This will be the last Thanksgiving and Christmas that I will celebrate with either grandmother. My Me-ma (insert name here) (mom’s mom) was just diagnosed with an in-operable brain tumor and my Ma-Ma Jean (dad’s mom) is in the last stages of renal failure.  At first thought, it seemed that this would be one of the saddest holiday seasons. But I am thankful for three reasons.

First, both of my grandmothers have a strong relationship with Christ and know where they are going after their earthly body dies. Second, they both have had a long and rich life where they invested in their kids, grandkids, and even great-grandkids. Finally, selfishly, I get the chance to say goodbye.

I can think of no better gift than the opportunity to thank my grandmothers for all they have done for me. And what better gift could they receive at this time of year than the gift of a new body and complete soul?  Both of my grandmothers have heavily invested in who I am as a man today. I have been privileged to live with each of them at different times in my life. They have been spiritual leaders and examples of what I want my life to be like, and most importantly, they have been the ones to call me out when I am going somewhere I shouldn’t. The greatest gift that I can give back to them is the chance to say, “I love you”.