My transplant was 18 years ago. It was a pancreas transplant 11/30/2005 (shortly after Thanksgiving). I experienced some sort of complication (fever & infection?) and was readmitted to the hospital in December. They did not think it was rejection but wanted to keep me there for monitoring and care. That year I thought I might spend the entire holiday season in the hospital. Thank God I was discharged on Christmas Eve! When I got home I found that my daughters had decorated and were baking Christmas cookies. We had frozen pizza for dinner. On Christmas Day my girls made Christmas dinner. That was a long time ago but the transplant was my personal miracle of a lifetime. My doctor had told me I needed a transplant or might not live to see my girls graduate high school. They graduated high school & college, got married & produced my 6 grandchildren. I am so blessed! Ever since we have gotten together in one of our homes (as many of us as possible) in one way or another to spend time together; share a meal, treats / goodies and gifts. This is how we celebrate God’s gift to us, Jesus’ birthday.