EDEN, N.C. — We call it the most wonderful time of the year, except when it becomes a family's worst nightmare.
“Medically, I shouldn't be here, but we serve an awesome physician, Jesus Christ, and that's the reason why I'm here,” said Jennifer Shelton.
In the Fall of 2021, Jennifer Shelton fought a severe case of COVID-19. The Eden woman was on a ventilator, and at the time, her doctors didn't know if she'd make it another day, let alone until Christmas.
"When I woke up, I was like where am I? You know, I didn't know where I was, of course, my family wasn't with me,” she explained.
Even though Jennifer’s family couldn't be at the hospital because of COVID restrictions, she was all they thought about.
“There [were] several nights it was like that, you know, is she coming home,” Niel Shelton said.
Determined that Jennifer would make it home, her husband Niel got busy making her a welcome home display, with lights that moved to her favorite song.
“I knew that he was excited to have me home, I didn't know he was that excited to have me home,” Jennifer Shelton expressed.
Seeing how much joy the lights brought his wife, he decided to make an even bigger display for everyone who passes by.
“Last year, we were actually around 8,300 LED lights. This year, we were probably around 13,500. So, we've added about 5,000,” he said.
When it gets dark, cars line up along Wilson Street to see the decked-out yard with lights moving to their favorite Christmas song.
Jennifer Shelton talks with those who stop, hoping the song lyrics and animations will remind them of the true meaning of Christmas.
"It's about realizing that you need Jesus and realizing that you need family and friends to carry you through the good times and the bad," Jennifer Shelton stated.
MORE WAYS TO GET WFMY NEWS 2
Subscribe to our daily newsletter Let’s Get 2 It!
Download the WFMY News 2 APP from your Apple or Google Play store.
ADD THE WFMY+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or search for WFMY.
Amazon Fire TV: Search for WFMY to find the free app to add to your account. You can also add the app directly to your Fire TV through your Amazon account.