Brielle’s Christmas Wish: Finding Light in the Hardest Days

A few days ago, Brielle began to look pale — her little body fighting yet another wave of exhaustion and fever. She was sad, not because she was scared, but because she desperately wanted to feel well enough to celebrate Christmas this week. Her medical team decided on a blood transfusion, hoping it would give her more strength and a few brighter days.

The difference was almost immediate. Her heart rate calmed, her fever eased, her oxygen levels improved, and the sparkle in her eyes flickered back to life. We talked and laughed, and for a little while, it felt like we could just be. None of this would have been possible without blood donors — people who give the gift of time to children like Brielle.

But even in these small victories, cancer finds ways to remind us how cruel it can be. As we sat together in the hospital, she looked down at her feet and asked softly if they were mine. I gently squeezed her toes and told her, “They’re yours, sweetheart.” She started to cry. She can feel my touch — but she can’t move them anymore. Watching that realization cross her face broke my heart in ways words can’t describe.

This disease has taken so much from her. Yet, Brielle remains the most polite, kind, and grateful little girl. Through pain and fear, she still smiles and whispers, “Thank you for doing everything you can for me, Mom. You’re the best mom a girl could ask for.”

Tomorrow, we celebrate Christmas.

It may not look like the Christmas we once imagined — but it will be filled with love, warmth, and the quiet strength of a little girl who continues to inspire everyone around her.