Christmas has always been a meaningful time for Rev. Kristie Askew, a pastor in the United Methodist Church living in Mathews County. She gave birth to her oldest daughter, Brianna Nicole Sulc, on December 23, 1997, and brought her home on Christmas day.

The season also marks a time of great sorrow. On Christmas Day 2016, a reckless driver crashed into Brianna's car as she was driving to a family dinner. She suffered severe injuries, and died several days later in the hospital. 

 Brianna had chosen to be an organ donor. Her choice gave new life to a man suffering from liver failure and helped two other organ recipients. 

“I've learned over the years that the grief that I experienced from her loss really drives me in my ministry with people,” said Askew, who grew up in Gloucester. “Not that they have to have the same kind of loss, but they've just experienced loss in a lot of different ways, whether it's the loss of a child or a parent, loss of a job, and a loss of a relationship.“