So much of the focus of my life these past weeks have been on school and Dad, and not necessarily in that order.  Yet tonight, as I prepare Katie’s brown bag suitcase for her visit to the doggie hotel, and pack husband’s and my suitcases for our trip to Alabama I began to think more and more about Mom.  I spent some time tonight remembering the last time she was here, just prior to Christmas 2003.  She was helping me get ready for the big “King Christmas” when all of Bruce’s relatives come to dinner.  Who knew that was her last Christmas?  Or that she had only seven short months to live?

Thinking about that I sat still on the sofa.  “I miss you Mom” I whispered and tears slid down my face.  I guess it’s the combination of things, the holidays coming, the trip “home” to a place where no parents will be, sending out the invitations to this years “King Christmas.”  Too many memories, too many feelings all jumbled up inside.

Once again Katie came to the rescue.  She had been asleep at the other end of the sofa.  Hearing the soft whisper she came over, crawled into my lap and licked away the salt on my face.  Such a sensitive dog!  How she knows when I’m so sad I don’t know.  But she makes me smile.  When I’m not yelling at her to stop chewing something!