Christmas may be 125 days away, but for the family in this house the beauty of the vacation must now take place.
Carmel, Ind. – On a warm August night, Christmas lights sparkle on a street in Carmel.
“One of our favorite traditions on Windbush is to decorate every house as far as possible,” said neighbor Emily Clem.
We are maybe 125 days from Christmas, but for the family in this house the beauty of the vacation must now happen.
“When I saw that the lights rose last Thursday or Friday, my heart sank because I knew what it was,” said Brady Young, who lives nearby.
Lorie Graves, a 50-year-old woman and mother, is in the Hospiz home when she fights against ovarian cancer.
“We did the Christmas decorations in the front yard because we have a very special neighbor on the street who is fighting for cancer,” said Shane Best.


Steven, her husband, told me that Lorie loves Christmas. The lights in the neighborhood. Decorate the house. Even a “happy birthday Jesus” cake.
When Steven knew that this could be her last Christmas, he contacted the USA Lighting Direct to see if they could attach the lights in August.
The company came through. And the neighbors too.


“We all got together and excited our decorations early so that Lorie could enjoy the view of Christmas a little early this year,” said Clem.
“I wrote an SMS to my neighbor Bill and said:” Christmas lights “and he” already said “,” said Young.
They decorate their own houses in late summer to honor Lorie.
“I have tears in my eyes,” said best. “Came in and told my wife. And I'm like 'Oh yes, we will apply our Christmas lights.'”
“The corner house that wrapped its trees and colorful bushes. We have the houses down there who have decorative deer. A Christmas dog,” said Clem.


Steven describes Lorie as “an amazing mother, daughter, girlfriend and wife. Her story is fulfilled by how good God is.”
Neighbors also have beautiful things to say about Steven.
“Steve is always there when someone needs him,” said Clem. “He is always on the lookout for everyone else. I was honored to live next to him for him.”
So if you drive through Carmel and ask yourself why Christmas lights expired in August, you now know the story. The woman she wanted to see and the husband and the neighbors make it possible.
As Steven said: “Faith has helped us get so far. God helped us find our way to each other and write our love story. God is good. Cancer can take her body, but God will carry it home.”

