Before she died, Brenda Schmitz wrote a letter asking that her three wishes be fulfilled – when the time was right. The time would be right when her husband found a new love.

Two years later, the letter was sent – anonymously – to a local radio station explaining her wishes: asking that her husband’s new love receive some time of pampering. After all, the new wife would soon be mother to Brenda’s four boys. Some time for the new family to get to know each other better and enjoy each other’s company. Wish number three would be an evening of dinner and drinks for the staff who cared for Brenda so lovingly as she fought her cancer.

Des Moines, Iowa, station KSTZ is granting Brenda’s wishes, her last wishes of generous compassion toward her caregivers, her husband, their children and a gesture of welcome to a woman Brenda will never know.

After all the consumer frenzy of the season, we need not look far for the profound meaning of Christmas:  the burning power of love will always light our way through darkness – often from the most unlikely person, a babe in the manger, or even a woman whose light shines brightly still, like a star in the East guiding those on their journey toward a new place.

Merry Christmas.

(Photo: Tony Wadden)

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