A year before my mother passed. She called me, one day. And told me, the cancer that had been in remission for several years. It had returned, only it had metastasized, and it was incurable. From where I lived in Los Angeles, I drove to San Diego, to see her. We talked a little. She was in her bed. Eyes closed. Listening to Christmas music, on the radio. Mostly, I sat quietly, and held her hand. Then, this song came on. Her eyes opened. She got a big smile on her face. And she exclaimed, "Oh gosh! This is one of my favorite songs!" And we both sang it, together (she was a singer, too). That was the last time, we were together. "Merry Christmas, mama!"