Wednesday, December 18, 2002

May whoever stole Camille's tree receive a blessing this Christmas

In February of this year we were blessed with the birth of a beautiful baby girl, Camille. Life was beautiful, life was wonderful, and our ideal picture of family was complete.

In May we lost our baby as a result of SIDS [sudden infant death syndrome]. In this family crisis we were confronted with the many, many choices we could make. In the end the only choices were those that supported our faith in Jesus Christ in whom we believe.

In an effort to comfort our hearts while facing our first Christmas with our loss, we got busy planning something special for Camille. In our minds only a Christmas tree would do. Being the parents of this extraordinary child, we knew this could be no ordinary Christmas tree.

We bought her a beautiful 4-foot Alberta spruce and decorated it in the epitome of a child's first Christmas. Santa Claus, candy canes, lollipops, snowflakes, and an angel suitable for only her adorned this tree. Within a week of placing it at graveside, someone has taken Camille's tree.

Once again we have the choice to make about how we're going to react to another devastating blow. Upon first hearing about it, "livid" would best describe our attitude. While trying to comprehend that this would happen in our own community of Fayetteville and trying to rationalize why someone would do this, God convicted our hearts. Now we choose to trust the Lord our God that this is more than a missing tree, but rather it is a tree of blessings.

Wherever Camille's tree is we pray that God blesses those who may posses it. We have the choice now to smile and know that even though our baby girl is with her Lord that she still makes an impact on all those with whom she comes in contact.

Because of Him we wish you a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Mike and Mandi Anesetti

Fayetteville