my step-father, Buzz, pictured here in red, had a massive stroke in 2002 which rendered him speechless, paralyzed on his right side, and in declining health. since then, he's battled a myriad of problems ranging from aspiration pneumonia to losing the rest of his sight (did I mention he was blind before the stroke?).

i call him my Timex.

but the main reason he's still ticking is my mother, who has spent six long years giving him the best quality of life possible. It's hard, we really don't know how they do it, but she seems to use laughter and sincerity to survive.

i call her my Sainte.

Buzz watches movies all day. So at Christmas time, flicks are #1 on his wish list. In this picture, he had just unwrapped the entire Star Trek series and my mother was making the "Live Long and Prosper" sign with his functioning left hand. And, as the stroke left his emotional side virtually unaffected, he belts out his character booming laugh.

It is a rare moment at their house that everyone is smiling and laughing. I am proud to have captured it here, and at such a special time as Christmas Morning.

Live Long & Prosper, Buzz.