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As you are reading this column, there are only a few days until Christmas. My hope for everyone is that Christmas is extra special, with every wish coming true.

Years ago, I wrote a column called Bouquets & Brickbats and each Christmas I would give out special Christmas cards. It is time to give out the cards again.

My first card would go to the doctors, nurses and all health care workers who have had what can only be described as the most difficult and trying months dealing with the pandemic. They are our heroes. I wish them a relaxing and special Christmas Day.

The next card goes to the business owners and managers who have been there for us through every good and difficult day. They too are heroes, deserving a relaxing holiday with family and friends. Make sure to wish them the best in 2022.

Next goes to the educators, including support staff and bus drivers. Navigating through the pandemic has been frustrating and challenging, but they continue to keep our most precious gift, our children, safe. I often hear those educators “do nothing.” This is wrong and they are another group of heroes that deserves a pat on the back and a cheerful Merry Christmas.

My next card goes to my co-workers for putting up with me. I wish them all the best in the new year. You are an interesting group of people.

Here is another card. I can say without any hesitating that without my neighbours, dear and special friends, I am not sure how I would have coped in the past two years. You are my heroes and to each of you, a very Merry Christmas.

Finally, a card for my family. I am blessed, as their caring and strength has made my life special. Charlene; Jud and Leah, Isabelle, Georgia; Donna and Rob; Dana and Myken – you are my rocks. Merry, Merry Christmas to all of you.

Now my cards are sealed and sent, it is time for a message of hope for everyone.

I happened to tune in to America’s Got Talent this spring. It was one of the best moves I made, for I was in time to see and hear a profoundly moving story. When it was over, I was overwhelmed by this young woman's message.

Her name is Jane Marczewski. She is 30 years old and known as a professional singer by her stage name, Nightbirde. She stood on the stage, with a smile that lit up the room, and began to talk about the past few years and what had happened to her. She quietly told the judges about her battle with cancer. She was asked if she was "OK." The true answer was "not really," as the cancer had spread to her lungs, spine and liver and she was given a two per cent chance of survival. You could tell by looks on the judges' faces and the murmured gasps everyone felt she was not OK. But her reply was, “I’m OK.”

The song she sang was an original she had written. It is called “It’s Ok.” As she stood at the microphone singing her song about her journey with cancer, I cried, but with tears of happiness, as I am a cancer survivor and I pray that she will survive.

As the beautiful song ended, there was silence and then a standing ovation because those in that theatre realized they had heard the most powerful message, that it’s OK.

As each judge made a comment, she said “You can’t wait until life’s not hard anymore before you are happy. I’m OK.” That simple, yet remarkable, comment resonated with those who heard it live, those who watched on television and later watched the video repeatedly.

Nightbirde’s message has stayed with me, and when it is difficult to cope, I realize I was one of the lucky ones, having been diagnosed quickly by specialists who did everything in their power to ensure the cancer could be stopped. The best day of my life was when I got to ring the bell to say I was cancer free.

Nightbirde was to return to the finals of the show but unfortunately her cancer got worse, and she started another round of treatment. In the video on that final show, the smile that lit up the room was still there, and she said, ‘I’m OK.”

As we continue to battle COVID ‑ obeying the rules, getting vaccinated ‑ I want everyone to remember that it’s OK. We will make it through this.

To each and every one, a very Merry Christmas and the best in 2022.

#beccatoldmeto