That feeling of togetherness people get caught up in during Christmas time can be felt all year round, if you let it. It can not only bring together total strangers for a common cause, but it can give ailing families a little peace of mind in the face of an otherwise dismal outlook.
That is the situation for the Odum family of Frisco, Texas.
David Odum was experiencing “severe digestive problems” back in April. He went in for tests and got a diagnosis no family wants to hear or experience, when he was diagnosed with cancer of the appendix. Doctors told him that he had only months to live.
David’s wife, Becky Odum, had already lost her first husband to cancer, and after hearing the news that David was terminal she found resolve in her faith and decided to make one of David's last wishes come true.
“He's my best friend, and I don’t want to let him go,” Becky said. “When we were talking about what he would like to do before he passes, he said he'd like to have one more holiday with his kids.”
Becky decided that since David absolutely loves Christmas, and he might not be around for this year’s celebrations, she was going to bring Christmas to him.
Becky took to Facebook to ask her friends and family to join in a challenge to help David enjoy one last Christmas.
Here is the challenge portion of the post:
We would love to invite you to join in the celebration with us by placing a Christmas wreath on your front door until after September 6th. Every time you enter and exit, notice the oddly timed decor, and say a prayer/send a thought for David. This will be his 48th birthday, and I would love to collect at least 48 pictures of Christmas wreaths placed on the front door in his honor, to compile into a photo book for him. If you are not able to easily get your wreath from storage, the boys said they would gladly make a simple one for you. Just let me know, and we will make the arrangements to get it to you and get a photo.
Here is the full post:
According to Fox 4 - Dallas, the Odums have received an overwhelming response to Becky’s challenge. It’s been reported that nearly 200 people have answered the call to celebrate Christmas early with David and the rest of the Odum family.
“This has been absolutely fabulous because it's brought everyone together in ways we could never have envisioned,” David commented.
It’s never a bad time to dust off the spirit of the holidays in order to bring a little happiness to those in times of need.
Becky, justifiably so, isn’t ready to let go of David and doesn’t rule out the possibility of celebrating two Christmases this year.
“If God graces us with Christmas in December, then we'll have had two Christmases,” David said. “We’re just not willing to take that risk.”
Merry Christmas to David, and to the entire Odum family.
For video of the story, watch below: