November 1, 2026
Joanne, we’re spending Christmas with my family this year. You don’t need to come.” My daughter-in-law’s words stopped me in
I handed her the letter. It was from our insurance company. A notice about a claim filed against our homeowners
Ardis and I had been wintering in Mesa for six years by then. We rented the same park model every
Vern Dahl called on a Wednesday afternoon in February. And the first thing he said was, “Gordon, I hate to
The doors opened. Three hundred people stood as I entered the church on my grandfather’s arm. I had dreamed of
My fiancé, Daniel, had been standing by the window. He wasn’t supposed to be in the bridal suite at all.
Greatest Regret My mother had walked both of my sisters down the aisle. Twice each. Four weddings. Four times she
I drove her. She sat in the passenger seat with her hands folded over her purse, watching the traffic with
She said: the survival rates at this stage with this treatment protocol are encouraging. She said: the treatment is aggressive.
My mother is the kind of woman who apologizes for being sick. I want to say this first because it