As we were walking home from school today, Kajal looked up at me and said very quietly... Merry Christmas. I reached down and hugged her, laughing with joy. Lately we seem to be having more and more of these precious moments. Kajal is learning so much, she is loving her school and seems so much happier. Even her sleep is improving. She still has nightmares, but not every night... and when she does she calls out for me as if even in her unconscious state she knows I'm there ready to wrap her in my arms and make everything all better. Yesterday she jumped on my lap and wrapped her arms around me, she hugged me hard rocking back and forth and said 'I love you so much!" I realized she was hugging me and saying the words as I do and say to her... but she isn't just mimicking, she really, truly knows what she is saying... you can see the love and joy in her eyes.

Kajal keeps hearing about Christmas, about the birthday of a very special baby, named Jesus, about Santa Claus and presents and giving. I know she doesn't really understand everything but she's trying so hard and truly loving the learning process... every day she learns a few more words and she feels a bit safer. People ask me how we manage to communicate with each other and I tell them, we just do. We use hand signals and guessing games, laughter and patience... most of all, we communicate with love.

Kajal received a wonderful gift, this beautiful Christmas dress from my friend from work, Marlyn. She sent it all the way from St. Louis, just for Kajal. Kajal danced with joy when she saw it and tried it on right away.... how precious she looks