My sister-in-law, Carol, passed away just before Halloween. She had been diagnosed with pancreactic cancer in March. She was very brave and fought as hard as she could. The cancer won.

At Thanksgiving, my brother, Paul, Carol's husband asked me if I would help him buy Christmas presents for his family this year. Carol had always been the shopper.

A week later Paul called and told me he didn't need my help. At first I was hurt, then he explained that he had discovered gifts Carol had purchased for the family. He couldn't understand when she bought the gifts as he had driven her everywhere she went since March! This made their Christmas a little more special, knowing this was Carol's final gift to them.