Christmas is generally referred to as the most wonderful time of the year, especially to an innocent 5-year-old girl, who just wanted presents. It was the year of 2001 that my great grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. It was a very devastating time for my family.

I remember my Christmas list, as if I wrote it yesterday. It had everything a young girl wanted: Barbie dolls, a Barbie bike and new clothes. Like every other kid, I would always try to take a sneak peek at my presents, but my parents always hid them where I couldnt reach. That was probably the most horrific thing for me around Christmas.

Being as young as I was, I dont remember much about my great grandmother, but I do know that she was a very sweet lady. My father often talks about how she always had a smile on her face and would do anything to help most people; especially, her husband. Also, at that age, I had no clue what cancer was, but the reactions on my familys faces helped me realize that it was a terrible thing.

On Christmas Eve, my parents would normally go out and spend a night away from me and my sister, because it was their anniversary. They would either drop us off with one of our grandmothers, or one of them would stay at our house for the night.

This year was a rather different story. Christmas Eve wasnt as joyful and happy as usual. My sister and I didnt get to open our early gift, and everyone seemed down in the dumps. My great grandmother was becoming very sick. She had been staying at St. Lukes Hospital in Columbus. I believe my parents went to visit her throughout the night, but I dont remember too clearly.

The next day I woke up, excited to open the gifts Santa had brought me. I ran into my parents bedroom trying to wake them up, but they didnt budge.

A few hours later, after my sister and I opened our gifts, my parents received a phone call. My great grandmother had died that morning. That was the saddest, most awful Christmas that I have ever had. Since then, the most wonderful time of the year hasnt been as wonderful, and it will never be the same.

I still think about her all the time. I miss her and her joyful smile, and Ill never forget what a great person she was. Nobody can ever take the place she holds in my heart.

Kimberly Russell is a student in Alan Peoples freshman language arts class at Polk County High School.