The year was 1971, and I was in Orange County (long before anyone ever thought to call it the O.C.) at my parent's house for Christmas. My Mom confessed to me,"I am going to die. Soon".

I laughed. "Why in the world would you think that"?

"Because", she replied, "I keep having thoughts of death, and of mother. I must be the mother."

I laughed, and never gave it a second thought. My mind was elsewhere. I was about to become engaged, to the love of my life.

That Christmas Eve, sporting a new diamond ring, my Mom and Dad popped the champagne and toasted to our engagement. After dinner, my future husband and I left, to go to his Mom's house, for a repeat celebration. I was dropped  back off at my parents house around midnight, with a kiss and a promise of a lifetime of Christmases together.

The next day, on Christmas morning, after all of the presents were opened, my Mom pulled me aside, explaining she must spoil my Christmas with bad news.

My future mother in law had died, a little after midnight, on Christmas Day, 1971. My future husband returned home just in time to see his mother being put into an ambulance. 

He called my mother in the middle of the night to let her know the sad news. 

I still remember her laughing, opening presents, and being tickled by her husband that Christmas Eve. She was beautiful, and only 42 years old when, after we left, she took a bath, got into bed, and suffered the massive stroke that took her life.

How had my mother known?

I didn't realize at the time, that a man at age 23 still needs a mother. That a wedding needs a mother of the groom. That grandchildren need 2 grandmothers to understand their heritage. And that a young wife needs her husband's mother for so many reasons....That her early death would leave a gaping hole in our family, forever.

I also didn't realize that Christmas would never be the same.

But one thing did become crystal clear right away: never, EVER live your life as if tomorrow is a given.