The holidays are an emotional time for everyone, because of the joy that comes from being around your loved ones, and the grief from remembering those who aren't with us any longer.
For one family, this was an especially painful time of the year. Only six months before, Antonio Vargas Sr. lost his wife, leaving him and his son Antonio Jr. on their own.
This was going to be their first Christmas without her, but they weren't alone. The two of them had other loved ones around them while they were opening presents in order to keep everyone happy and to bring out that feeling of togetherness.
But Antonio Sr. had a surprise in store for his son. He knew that the year had been hard for him, and that no amount of toys or presents could fill the void in his son's heart for his mother.
This father went above and beyond to give his son a unique experience that only he would understand.
When his mother was still alive, her nickname for her son was "little monkey." Antonio Sr. wanted to reflect that in his gift, but decided to go one step further.
He went to Build-A-Bear, a workshop where anyone can design their own stuffed animal, and had some help with a very special design.
He had recorded his wife saying a variety of messages for her son before she passed away, and put the recordings inside the animal.
Antonio Sr. made his son a monkey at the workshop and gave it to him at Christmas morning.
At first, Antonio Jr. wasn't sure what to make of it, but when he squeezed his paw and heard his mother's voice, he was completely overwhelmed.
The toy has several different recordings on it, including "I love you to the world and back," "Give me a big hug, I love you," "I love you guys so much and I will always love you," and "Tell him Mommy loves him."
Even though his mother may be gone, Antonio Jr. can now hear his mother comfort him whenever he misses her.
