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Letter to the editor

Holiday then, now

By DEBRA GRAZIANO, Special to the Times
Published December 14, 2007

John Graziano at age 4 with his favorite stuffed animal, a dog named "Gundy" that he took almost everywhere, and the top of the family tree that he trimmed to use as his Christmas tree for "Gundy."
	[Graziano family]

ADVERTISEMENT Related links Crash victim sees bit of progress Special report: Fame, fast cars and fate [Graziano family] John Graziano in front of the family Christmas tree at age 3.

Debra Graziano sent this e-mail to the St. Petersburg Times to share her memories of her son, John.

In years past, Christmas was truly the most wonderful time of the year for our family.

John especially loved Christmas. Even as a toddler, he would help decorate the tree. Of course, being so small, he would choose a few branches within his reach and hang all his ornaments on them. Then throughout the season he would rearrange them.

When he was about 31/2 years old, he tried to hang the ornaments a little higher and the tree came tumbling down on top of him. I ran from the kitchen to see this massive tree on the ground with a little face peeking through the branches. He calmly and quite seriously said, "I guess there will be no Christmas this year." I couldn't help but laugh at this unflappable child lying under a mountain of a tree with tinsel in his hair.

He would take the top part of the tree, which had been trimmed to fit in the living room, and decorate it for his "Gundy" a stuffed dog that he took everywhere.

John also loves Christmas music, although he would complain a bit if I played O Holy Night more than five times in a row. I admit I am a bit obsessive about that song.

And he loves the lobster dinner on Christmas Eve and sat in front of his own huge lobster since he was in a high chair.

This Christmas is different. Our John won't be with us but we will be with him. There are lights adorning his hospital room window and a decorated tree and nativity sit on his meal tray. People have been bringing gifts and students from Palm Harbor Elementary have made beautiful cards.

Yes, this Christmas will be different. It will be the most meaningful. It won't be about the tree or the music or the cookies. It will be about our saviour, Jesus Christ.

My life stopped on Aug. 26, 2007. Christmas for our family began Aug. 27, when God sent His angels on earth into motion. May God bless you all with a blessed 2008.

There is a CD player in John's room. It is set to replay O Holy Night at least five times in a row. My prayer is that John gets annoyed enough to wake up and complain.

- Debra Graziano

[Last modified December 14, 2007, 00:00:39]