It was family tradition that everyone go to Mom and Dad's house on Christmas Eve in Kingsland, Georgia. That was the time we all laughed, ate and marveled at how much the nieces and nephews have grown.

"Momma, I have not missed Christmas Eve in 38 years and I am not going to start now. The roads can't be that bad," I argued.

"They are icing over and it is getting colder, please don't come, I will be worried the whole time," my Mother begged.

"OK, Momma, we won't come, but I do expect you and Daddy to be here Christmas day for dinner if the roads clear." I knew I was lying to her. I would be home Christmas eve. The roads can't be that bad in South Georgia when I live in middle Georgia and it is not bad here.

We finished loading the car and headed out for the 150 mile trip from Eastman, Georgia. But about 50 miles from Eastman, the roads turned to ice. It was very frightening, especially for us since we have never driven on ice before. What is normally a pleasant 3 hour trip turned into a 7 hour ordeal.

We finally pulled into Mom and Dad's driveway and here comes Momma fussing at me, "Mary Lang, I told you not to come," but her arms were open and she hugged me tight. Daddy just stood there looking on and laughing as he listened to my scolding.

The next morning, we woke to snow on the ground. WOW, snow in south Georgia. It was so beautiful. My son and I took the push broom in the yard to gather enough snow to make what we called a snowman.

The other 6 kids and their spouses came a little later in the day and we all ran and played and had snowball fights. Momma sat by the window in the house and watched.

Momma was from Rhode Island and had not seen the snow in 44 years since marrying my father and moving south. So many times we heard her say how much she wanted to see the snow again. Well, she got her wish.

Later that day, we all went in the house and exchanged gifts and then, as tradition, we watched as Momma and Daddy opened their gifts. We ate and talked and ate and laughed. It was a wonderful Christmas, the best I can remember.

Well, the next morning, it started warming up and the roads were not iced over as bad so we headed back to Eastman. And as tradition, Momma and Daddy headed out to the other kid's homes. They always stopped by everyones house to see what the grandkids got for Christmas and play with them for a bit.

But since Momma and Daddy would not be able to make it up Christmas day to my house for dinner, we just stopped the clock. We would have Christmas the day after as soon as Momma and Daddy got here. Ever since I have been married, Momma and Daddy have always had Christmas dinner at my house and this year was not going to be any different. ( I am the baby of the family and the baby always gets what she wants, LOL!)

Yep, Momma wanted to see snow, and God granted Momma's wish, but then the devil tried to steal her joy by making it so she could not have her children home with her on Christmas eve. I am so thankful I went to be with my parents that Christmas.

You see, that was the last Christmas with my Mother. Just a few short months later, Daddy woke one morning and Momma was just laying in the bed and Jesus had called her home. Daddy said she looked as though she were sleeping.

You never know when it is going to be your last time with family or loved ones. We can not allow anything or anyone to stand in our way of the fellowship we all need so badly. Be with those you love this holiday season, and as you leave them, tell them you love them.

Oh how I wish I could hear my mother scolding me one more time. But more than that, I would love to hear those words she said so sweetly, "I Love You!"