Jacob Thompson is a 7 year old boy with cancer at the Main Medical Center in Portland. His last wish was for people to send him their homemade Christmas cards. I sent him one, but it took a few tries...Dear Jacob,As someone who loves words, I have to admit, I’m not good with them sometimes…Dear Jacob,I hope you get all the toys you wished for at Christmas…Dear Jacob,What are people supposed to tell a dying little boy in a Christmas card when no one is sure he’ll make it to Christmas?Dear Jacob,Do toys matter to you? Do these cards?Dear Jacob,My sister is making you a Christmas card, I have to tell you, that’s special, because she isn’t willing to send anyone a letter. So, I hope at least that tells you - you are making people move. And you’ll get glitter all over yourself, too, I’m sure. Drive everyone crazy with it.Dear Jacob,I can’t keep track of how many drafts I’ve written, but I can tell you they are all really bad. I hope you’ll forgive me. I’ve been sitting here thinking about what I’m going to write to you, and I’m not even sure what it should be. I’m sitting here writing to you certain that nothing I say will matter in the end - and I suppose it shouldn’t either. In the end, what I hope matters is everything that you said.Dear Jacob,I keep seeing my sisters in you, though I’ve never seen what you look like. But I’m sure you look a like them - you’re full of joy, and mischievous snickers. There are probably a few jokes that only you laugh at so hard that you can’t breathe, while everyone else doesn’t get it. Most of all, I keep picturing you full of life. Maybe that is what makes it so hard.Dear Jacob,These drafts keep getting longer, at least I know I’m going in the right direction. No one will ever ask you - I will never send this - but maybe you just need to say it: Are you scared?Dear Jacob,For one, I have to say, it takes a special person to appreciate handwritten, homemade Christmas cards. I’m glad you are one of them. There are so many things that come with them; the love, the joy, the memories. You now carry hundreds of your own memories of love, joy, and family - life - and hundreds more. And in sending our cards to you, you have have become a part of ours.Dear Jacob,I think it’s obvious that I’m forgetting that you’re seven years old, but judging by how I keep crying, I’m not. I think what makes it hurt the most is that I want this to mean so much while I know it will mean so very little at all. What matters to you now, Jacob? I hope that these cards give you bits of whatever it is. I hope they bring you snow, or lights, or color, or decorations, or the feeling of Christmas. I hope you have a little Christmas that is worthy of being your last.Dear Jacob,You are a special person to love handmade Christmas cards. They are little pieces of everyone’s Christmas. My favorite thing about Christmas was it was the time of year where it felt like everyone loved each other - the world loved each other. Well, there a lot of people making sure they show you that Christmas love.Dear Jacob,I’ve sent you my Christmas card a week ago, but I can’t stop thinking about you. I keep wondering if you got it. I keep wondering if you liked it. I keep hoping that it made you smile. I keep hoping that it made it on time.Dear Jacob.Merry Christmas.Jacob Thompson celebrated Christmas on November 12, 2017. He passed away a week later.