I want to interrupt the narrative for just a minute to talk about Mom.

I still think about her to this very day. I can see the two of us walking downtown that Christmas before she died. All the stores along Main Street were strung up with red and blue and white lights. My hands were stuffed in the pockets of my camel’s hair coat. I could see my breath in the cold night air. 

The annual Christmas tree lighting was about to take place in the town center. Mrs. Morr...