The mantle above my fireplace holds two framed photographs and a greeting card propped between them. On the left: a group of friends—the A-List we call ourselves because we started in Level A at Second City and went through the entire 2-year program from beginning to end together—laughing, arms around each other, the kind of photo where everyone looks exactly like themselves. These are people who knew me when I met Ken—who loved him, mourned him, and then quietly, steadily ke

While I was outside with Hudson yesterday, one of my neighbors was out with her dog, Ripley. Hudson and Ripley like to "talk" and play without regard for the fence between them. As I turned to leave them to their games, my neighbor Barbara said, "Merry Christmas," and handed me a gift bag. Inside were a few thoughtful things. Frangos. Fannie Mae. A treat for Hudson. Simple, kind, not over-the-top. Tucked in with it was a handwritten note that stopped me in my tracks. “To Ron