Kathy so doted on her nephew Jeremy that she would do anything for him. So whenever Jeremy asked her for a big expensive gift for Christmas, Kathy would say, "Whatever you want," and get it for him. One year, she gave her nephew an outdoor activity set that included a two-level play fort and playground equipment. The next, Kathy gave a hard-to-find state-of-the-art video game system with 50 game cartridges.

This year, Jeremy said what he'd really like is a little brother or sister. His parents, puzzled by his naiveté, told him that such a gift could not be ordered, certainly not on such short notice. But Aunt Kathy replied to his request, "Whatever you want. I'll see what I can do."

On Christmas morning, as Jeremy finished unwrapping his gifts beneath the tree, his parents told him he had one more gift. They walked into the room with a baby girl. "It's the little sister you requested, from your Aunt Kathy," his Mom said. "But why isn't Auntie Kathy here to give it to me?" Jeremy demanded. "She is! This is your Aunt Kathy," his Dad said.

Jeremy stared at the apparently 1-year-old girl. "But how?" Jeremy asked. "After Aunt Kathy heard your gift request, she discussed it with us, then made some arrangements before going to a clinic in Switzerland for a special treatment that you can see made her much younger. She really wanted to give you the little sister you wanted. She gave her all to deliver this gift," his Dad explained.

"Are you really Auntie Kathy?" Jeremy asked the baby girl. Baby Kathy just smiled and giggled. Jeremy then hugged and kissed the girl on her forehead, saying, "This is the bestest Christmas gift ever!"

Jeremy then turned serious. "Is she really my baby sister now, or is Auntie Kathy only playing?" the boy asked. "When the treatment turned her younger, she lost most of her adult memories, and the rest will vanish in two months. She'll then remember only being your adoring little sister." Jeremy's face turned sad as he asked, "Then who will I ask for a big gift next Christmas?"


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