It was a tough year- the toughest in a long time.

Last year was a crazy transitional year. I cut off my hair – like Joan Jett style- to see what it would look like coming in grey (not to mention I had people around me that said, “do it! Its hair, it will grow back!” From friends telling me after 2 drinks- “What did you do to your hair?” to friends saying, “If you like it, who cares?” And the gut punch of my grandson asking me, “How long will this last?” Kids are so honest.

This week, the final domino fell for us, having lost our beloved black lab Oliver. I called him Braveheart because he was just that for me. He lived almost 15 years and was picked out and brought home by Carl. I recall Adyn calling me at work and saying, “Dad brought home a puppy,” and me responding with “wrong number” and hung up. (sigh)