As the holidays get closer. And we all prepare in our own ways for the first Christmas "without her", I find myself reminiscing over past holidays. Now everyone knows that X-mas isn't about "getting" presents. It's about giving. Um... (yeah right, that only sounds good in theory) Actually, I am all in favor of getting. Always have been probably always will be, but hey, that's me. Everyone has their own scale on how to feel about the gifts they receive. Good etiquette says we smile the same for all the gifts, give big hugs when appropriate, and hold the present just long enough for a picture with that very same smile on our faces. And, we all know that not all gifts are treated equally. Granted some gifts get "handicap" points. Like, that dress from Grandma which is either 2 sizes too big, 4 sizes too small, or shares the same pattern as your drapes. Or the cooking utensils, vacuum, and/or new XBOX that say.. your husband bought you. Come on by the way, do they think we didn't pick up the meaning behind those? Kinda makes you want to wrap their presents up in the employment section of the classifieds. My point here is that on the rare occasion that someone gets it right, and it's not the fake smile you're gleaming with... then the gift most likely came from Amber. All her gifts were simply Fabulous. She always took the time to put the effort into her gifts. They were always "thoughtful". No matter what it was or how much it cost, there was always going to be some kind of personal connection to every gift she gave. Even if it was only known by her and the receiver. Amber's gifts were much like herself. "Always Fabulous". This year she will be with us all in spirit and you better bet she'll be by our side ringing in the New Year! Let us all look back at this year and be thankful for all the gifts Amber brought to our lives. "When A Loved One Becomes A Memory, That Memory Becomes A Treasure"