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December 22nd, 2003...

Two years ago my Mother-in-law passed away after a brief battle with cancer. She passed not too long after her birthday, and not long before Christmas which made it all the more tough. If anything, my mother-in-law and I had the atypical son-in-law, mother-in-law relationship. I really loved her, she was one of the most kind, endearing, and selfless people I had ever met. I thought about the date of her passing on the 22nd, and I sort of felt bad for not making mention of it to my wife. On one hand I was glad that she was in good spirits and went about her days without mentioning it. I suppose that perhaps this means she is ready to remember her mother's life more so than she is the moment or time of her death.

My mother-in-law got to see and spend time with our youngest daughter Alex, but she never go to see my nephew, Xavier. I have always had a wistful feeling about that. All of the children loved Annette, and despite her claims to the contrary she loved to open her home up to them in the summer time. Now it is Christmas Eve, and I am reflecting on some of the routines that have changed since her death. This year we are going to have Christmas Dinner and celebrate at her house for the first time since her passing. I am looking forward to it.

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