The most unforgettable Christmas I ever had was December 24, 2001, which was the last Christmas I had with my mother. We had just my immediate family members at home. We decided to have the family get together, because two weeks before Christmas, we were told that this would be my mother's last Christmas. The guests that special day were my father, mother, my adopted brother, my husband, and my two boys. My dad went to get my mom earlier that day from the nursing home.
             My father decided to have a baked ham dinner with all of the trimmings. He made the baked ham, which was especially tender and juicy. As my family walked up to the door, we could smell the aroma of a perfectly cooked ham. He also made mashed potatoes that were so creamy. We also had sweet potatoes sprinkled with brown sugar, and big white fluffy marshmallows that were melted slowly into the sauce. We were asked to bring Norwegian lefsa to the dinner. This meal was one of mother's favorite meals. Even though she couldn't eat the meal, she sat with us at the table.
             As a family Christmas tradition, after we were finished with our delicious meal, the kids washed the dinner dishes. While the kids were doing the dishes, the rest of us went to sit in the living room to relax. It was really peaceful feeling we would get to just sit there and reflect on life. As soon as the kids finished all the dishes, they came running into where we were in the living room, to see if they could finally pass out the presents to everyone. After the grandkids finished passing out the gifts, we all took turns opening one gift at a time.
             As this was going on, I was video taping the family. My mother gave me a dirty look every time I pointed the camera at her. Even though she didn't like it, she knew how much this meant to me. My oldest son gave her a gift that he had made especially for her. The gift was a candle in a baby food jar. As this gift was ope...