The 2011 TV movie "The Heart of Christmas" isn't just any sickly sweet Christmas movie like the ones found on Hallmark and ABC Family every December. It is sweet at times, but also very sad, and it's based on a true story. It's based on the true story of a little boy who lived not far from me in Washington, Illinois. Dax Locke, a cancer patient, spends month after month in the hospital going through chemotherapy and radiation. His overwhelmed mother, Julie, finds support from other mothers whose children are also struggling with the big "C." She finds even more support from St. Jude's Children's Hospital, which takes care of her son as he fights the disease. Her neighbors also come to the rescue helping to speed Christmas up a couple of months early because Julie doesn't think Dax will live to see his second Christmas. The only real stars of the movie are Candace Cameron Bure ("Full House"), still as beautiful as ever, as an overworked wife and mom who finds herself touched by Dax's story and tells Julie this during a vigil; and George Newbern ("Father of the Bride") as a sympathetic doctor, or as he refers to himself, "a tone-deaf Jewish doctor" during a round of Christmas carols outside of the family's home. A less caring doctor steps in to help the family through the most serious parts of their ordeal and Julie's mom (the actress playing her looks to be nearly the same age or only a few years older than Julie herself) is there to offer love and support at those difficult times. Matthew West, the singer of the film's theme song (also called "The Heart of Christmas") also has a small role as one of the neighbors who helps decorate the Locke's house for Christmas in late October. The movie is very sad, but inspirational as well. It gives hope and teaches a great lesson, which is 'cherish the moment'. I especially enjoyed it because I know people that know Julie Locke and are familiar with the Locke's story. It definitely hit close to home.
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