In 2012, when I wrote Cookies & Milk, it came at a time when my own father was poorly and unwell, and it helped to lift my hopes and spirits and make the Christmas season a bit more bearable. At the start of December of this year 2015, my 5-yr old daughter Madison was admitted to hospital for an infection in her body. Her cries of pain and uncertainty made it difficult to cope. After two operations in the span of a week, her condition stabilised, but as any parent can attest to, the idea of your child in the hospital is undoubtably distressing. It is a traumatic experience that affects both child and parent.

One night at the hospital, Madison asked to read Cookies & Milk for her bedtime story. I asked her why she chose that one. She said because it was almost Christmas and that Daddy wrote it. We read the story, as we did every Christmas, and she giggled at the same parts she did every year. Her small sounds of laughter were a good sign, a comforting thought that the story has had such a healing effect for both myself and my daughter. When we were finished, I asked Madison what did she like most about the story, and she said, “you reading it to me.”

Cookies & Milk:  A Christmas Story is now free on the iBookstore until December 31st, 2015.

Merry Christmas, and have a safe and happy festive season.