57/365 Lizzie, my granddaughter

Her mother’s independent spirit, her uncle’s wisdom, her aunt’s spiritual insight and creativity, and my sense of humor—in a teenager who is smart, affectionate, gorgeous, and always so much fun. Oh, yeah—and she’s got my hair (lucky girl!).

56/365 Jerry

In church, the Lord’s Prayer commenced. In one pew, Jerry “prayed” by mumbling nonsense in his two-year-old grandson’s ear. The congregation recited; grandson laughed. His giggles pealed over the sound of the prayer. Well aware of this, Jerry kept mumbling.

55/365 Kellie

“You see how rotten my mother is?” she asked on the phone, her voice weak but bitterly angry. We were discussing the various hurts her mother had inflicted. I completely agreed, but should I say so to someone terminally ill?

54/365 Bob

We never got to know each other all that well, but two things made an indelible impression on me: his ’62 Corvette (oh joy!) and the sweet, fancy card he had the Post Office deliver to me on Christmas morning.

53/365 Greta

Greta and I were secretaries at a big corporation. Plain but stylish, she later worked for an upscale Manhattan department store where she found a younger husband and got crab lice from the employees’ rest room (not in that order).

52/365 Mr. Bader

What an unfortunate name for a high school guidance counselor. What an unfortunate name for a high school guidance counselor. What an unfortunate name for a high school guidance counselor. What an unfortunate name for a high school guidance counselor.

51/365 Rennie

Rennie has battled cancer for years. Ultra handsome, big grin, marvelous voice, great sense of humor, and that uniform!—Rennie was the quintessential airline captain. Any flight attendant would fall madly in love with him. And my dear cousin did.