The Story of The Christmas Cookies

Our Sweet Daniel was always thinking of others. During his first treatment at UAB Kirkland Clinic as we sat in the waiting room October 2005 he looked around the waiting room and said mom we need to do something special for all these cancer patients, they need to know they are loved and prayed for. I looked at him and said okay what do you want to do? He said can we bake cookies for them, so that December my kitchen turned into a bakery. I had cookie dough up to my elbows and Daniel was right in the mix. Each cookie was prayed over and we asked God to bless that patient and their families.

There is more we did not stop with just them we did enough for all the staff, doctors, and nurses. Each bag contained scripture and the wonderful message of God's love. I seen the most precious spark in my son eyes, he was joyful.

I received a letter from the Radiation Department, and my heart was full. The letter said Dear Mrs. Bickerstaff I want to thank you for what you have done here in our department. We see people come in here everyday, most of them don't make it and there are so many staff who see the face of cancer. They do not understand how God could allow all this pain, she said with these cookies and the scripture of HOPE you put in each bag has given them back the understanding that God is real, He does care, and He is holding them in His hands. She said you are the Christmas Cookie Lady who we love and your son started a wonderful Ministry.

The real face of cancer is not that cute boy, girl, or adult on a billboard with no hair and a wonderful smile, it is hard to watch your loved one suffer from cancer. The face is many tests, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and the horrible pain. If I can give just one person a reason to smile while receiving treatment then I have done just what Daniel wanted.

This will be my third Christmas to deliver cookies without Daniel in person, but I know he is still with me in the kitchen baking and with me to deliver them in Spirit. I thank the Lord for my wonderful memories and I am making new ones. Daniel your Mother is very proud of YOU....