

I’m missing Mom extra this year even though she is only a few miles away. It’s a relentless tug in my heart of responsibility and worry - doesn’t matter that I’ve done everything possible. I know she’d like to be watching Hallmark movies and football, making phone calls, choosing gifts, wrapping and mailing, complaining about the cost of postage. The loss is always raw, but it’s worse on holidays.
Meanwhile, life marches on. Pat’s last (fabulous) dog was Gretchen, a black lab Peter brought home. This year Matt introduced us to his purebred chocolate Labrador puppy, Layla, who is growing like a weed (4 pounds to 12 pounds in their first month together). Our 3-year-old yellow lab mix, Chloe, is jealous of the baby, but tolerant overall. We’re hoping when Layla returns “full size,” Aunt Chloe will remember and welcome her new niece...