12 Days of Christmas for Ben

This idea has been brewing for a bit and I am so excited to finally pull the trigger on my Christmas gift to Ben. And I need your help! The 12 Days of Christmas countdown starts tomorrow (Monday, 12/13/2021)!

If you follow our blog or social media or are friends with us in real life, you know that Ben is no longer able to adventure and do many of the things that he loves doing. In the past six months or so, he has declined physically pretty significantly to the point that he no longer has control of his trunk muscles and has difficult y holding up his head for more than a minute or two. We are waiting for some very important modifications to his wheelchair so that he can safely be out and about, but in the meantime, he is unfortunately limited to his bed or recliner. This has taken away his ability to enjoy supporting his children at their sporting events or choir concerts. He is unable to sit at the table and enjoy a simple dinner with us. There are no more date nights, dinners out, or basketball games and volleyball matches. His whole existence right now is limited to the four walls of our home. There is no other way to say how much it sucks to be stuck in a bed, isolated from enjoying the basics of family life, while still wishing for your family to keep living.

So, I wanted to give him a Christmas to remember. One for the books. One that tells him how loved he is. How he is remembered beyond the walls of our home. How he has made a difference in the lives of his friends and family. And, how the world is so much better because he is a part of it. Will you please PLEASE join me?! Here is how it is going to work. Every morning, I will post what the theme of the day is and all you need to do is complete the challenge and share it back to him on social media or via text. Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy. Every task will be a reflection of the giant of a man whom we are lucky to call husband, dad, friend, and brother. My hope is that not only will his heart be lighter, but yours will be, too. And, I promise it won’t take much time or effort on your part, but it will fill his heart with the spirit of Christmas and the love of so many.

Sorry babe. I kept this a secret. I knew you wouldn’t like to be the center of attention, but there isn’t anything more this Christmas I want than to show you how loved you are by me, our beautiful children, your siblings, and all of our family and friends. I can’t wait to celebrate you every day for the next 12 days!