This evening, Sandy and I sat upon a bench built by her father (Howard T. Skinner, Jr.) facing the new wildlife pond, home now for five of the best-looking frogs in Jefferson County. With her sniffer of Fireball and my Blue Moon beer (a must for blue collar yardwork), we toasted the memories of some who have gone on.

On Friday, we were left no choice but to send Molly on, as she has been unwell for some time. She joined our household some 14 years ago, as an intended like-age companion to our beloved Fred. She was a feral cat that seemed to be adapting, but as we acquired more cats (males for the record) due to the passing of parents, Molly seemed to teeter between being feral and wanting interaction, mostly on her own terms.

Her one dog crush was Kelsey. But as I watch Kelsey’s interaction with our new pups, a motherly bond of instruction and play, I now think Molly thought of Kelsey as a Mom — doting, tolerant, and a comfort.

We also toasted Susan Pound Snauffer, Sandy’s first cousin and like herself, the grandchild of Howard T. and Lorraine Skinner. Her ashes were laid on her grandparents’ grave per her wishes. She was raised in Maryland and spent her life teaching in New Jersey and travelling the world in retirement. Her request to be rejoined with her grandparents in Shepherdstown underscores a strong connection to them and this community.

May we all find comfort and blessings in family and community.