After my parents retired, they built a new home on 10 acres in Germantown, WI. One snowy Sunday afternoon, I paid them a surprise visit. December 22nd, right before Christmas. Opening the back door I heard: "You put on the damn lights, Gladys, I've been doing this the last 60 years!." "Oh, Lawrence, I get SO disappointed in you sometimes.".... "Hello I quietly mumbled"....pause...silence....more silence....... "Whose there?....."Oh son come in (my Dad)"....Your mom and I were just putting up the tree!. Well it turned out my Dad had a bad cold and was not feeling well. But my presence cast a new light of hope on the day as I helped them finish decorating that Christmas Tree. This was a monumental event in my life as my father got sick and died before I had another chance to see both my parents at Christmas.