A merciful death, but a loss nonetheless, at Christmastime

I’ll be gone until Jan. 3 — first for my mother’s funeral and full-blown Irish wake; then to celebrate the holidays with the many loved ones still standing.
For more about the life and times of  the woman everyone called “Babe,” see Sunday’s column.
Meanwhile, enjoy those  you love while you have them, and be sure to let them know how important they are to you.