In December 1992, my mom was in her fourth year of battling cancer. My parents asked us kids if it was OK if they went to Mexico with friends for Christmas and we would celebrate our family Christmas on New Year’s Day.
Since my mom was well enough to travel, we encouraged the trip.
On New Year’s Day, we gathered at my parents’ house to exchange gifts and feast on the traditional turkey.
This was the year my mom gave me my treasured pearl earrings.
After the gift exchange, Mom and I congregated in the kitchen for what we both knew would be our last Christmas as a family. We didn’t say anything–it was just understood.
So I stood by her side in the kitchen and took copious notes for the traditional turkey fixin’s.
She passed away the following October.
To this day, I still follow her recipes for a scrumptious turkey feast.
Miss you Mama.
