Believing in Miracles

For our son, Chris Van Allsburg’s classic was more than a story

by ANGIE SWARTOUT, Kingstree, South Carolina

LOOK AT THIS,” I said to my husband, Lloyd, handing him my phone. “The Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel in Flagstaff has a real-life Polar Express train.” When he pressed “Play,” the ad burst to life with a train whistle. Our 18-year-old son, Ty, ran into the room and grabbed the phone from his dad. Ty stared at the screen, a huge smile forming on his face. “Do you want to ride the Polar Express?” Lloyd asked. Ty nodded. From the moment he was born, Ty was different. He never cried, not even to eat or have his diaper changed. Tests showed damage to his frontal lobe. He was diagnosed with autism. We took Ty to one therapist after another, trying to find someone who could help us. I quit my job to stay home…

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The Joys Of Christmas (Digital) - 1 Issue, 2020

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