It was ten years ago but Cindy Brady could still remember it like it was yesterday. It was her first Christmas with her new big family in their new house. Her mother's laryngitis put a damper on what was supposed to be an exciting first Christmas for everybody. Yet, Cindy famously still had that little girl spiritual connection thing going on and she was insistent that Santa Claus was going to give her mommy her voice back. Her father was worried about this. Looking back, Cindy understood why he was so concerned. If Cindy's bright idea didn't follow through, there goes her faith in Santa. It was a huge leap of faith but everything turned out the way little Cindy had planned it.

Now that she was sixteen years old and old enough to know better, she reflected on that particular Christmastime with a sense of wonder and a sense of humor. That was when she had her brilliant idea for a gift to her mother. She would give it to her tonight. It was only her and Bobby living in the house with them and dad was out on business tonight. It was going to be the perfect night for this perfect suprise.

She ran down the stairs when her little project was finished and into the family room. She knew that her mother would be wrapping presents in there. Carol always wrapped the presents in that room. She used to make time when the kids were in school but now they were grown and three-quarters of them were out of the house, so she had time to free lance when it came to such things

"Cindy, what are you doing?" Carol asks annoyed, without looking up from her gift wrapping.

"I have something to show you!"

"Can't it wait? I'm in the middle of this and you better thank your lucky stars I'm done with all of our presents!"

"Fine then," Cindy says disappointed and walking away.

"Hold on," Carol speaks up before Cindy can reach the door. "I'm sorry, Honey. Come here."

Cindy knew her mother would see reason. She put a big smile on her face while she ran to sit beside her mother. Carol cupped Cindy's face with her hand and kissed her cheek apologetically before taking the red construction paper out of her daughter's hand. When she opened it, she found in green marker a poem written in her daughter's almost perfect penmanship.

You had lost your voice,

You couldn't sing,

You had no choice.

I knew you were scared,

So I told the situation to Santa,

And you were touched that I cared.

Daddy didn't want me to get my hopes up,

For I was still such a young pup.

Yet that morning came,

Your voice was far from a shame,

And for a while my faith had remained the same.

You were able to sing,

All because of one little thing...

Carol had begun to cry as she finished. She looked at her angel child through her tears and saw she was smiling that same smile that could melt anyone's heart. Carol wrapped her arms around Cindy and kissed her cheek. What a loving, caring, wonderful daughter she had.

"I love you, Mom," Cindy says still in her mother's warm embrace.

"I love you, too," Carol says with one last kiss. "So much."