She Magazine DECEMBER 2015 | Page 154

She Story Higher Grounds Photography in every issue Mary Christmas with a name as unique as hers, surely this time of year is extra special for Mary Christmas. On Christmas morning, Mary would awaken Joshua. Although he never was as excited about Santa If anything, it’s certainly made for interesting conversation starters! “Growing up, I disliked my name as she was, he would open his three gifts (representative of those given by the Wise Men) in honor because I felt like I was getting picked on. As I became older, I learned to appreciate it. I was shy as a of the first Christmas, Jesus’ birthday. “Christmas is a time of hope and miracles. A time to celebrate child, but my name became a way of getting into a conversation. Almost no one can say just my first the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That is first and most important in our family. When name. It can get pretty confusing at Christmas time… I’m not sure if people are wishing someone a you have children, you must teach them the true meaning of Christmas… the birth of our Savior.” Merry Christmas or if they’re speaking to me!” Mary is eager to praise her Savior all year round, however, because He has brought her through Regardless, the holiday has always been special to Mary. “I was always the first to wake up on Christ- some extremely challenging moments in life. “In December 2007, I was diagnosed with colon/rectal mas morning. I had to go straight to my mom and dad’s room to wake them. Then, Momma would cancer while I was a caregiver for my mom and dad. I have also battled with my weight since 2008. wake the other girls. After that, we would have Christmas morning breakfast. Only then could we go Although I have lost 83 pounds in two years, it is still a struggle. But, I am doing my best. Without to the tree and see what Santa brought. It seemed like forever! After opening gifts and cleaning up the my faith in God and prayers, I do not know where I would be today. I have knocked on death’s door mess, I would call my grandparents and tell them about my gifts. Then we went to my maternal grand- a couple of times, but God still has a plan for me. He has brought me through this to be able to help parents’ house and spend time v