December 31, 2020

 White Dog went first at the stroke of 12 (in NYC, as was the tradition in my family when I as a Chicago child)..."You are my daemon, may we have a wonderful happy year together. You will never know how scared I was when you got sick last year; and how overjoyed that you made a full recovery. Thank you for helping us get through the early days of the pandemic with your brilliant production of 'Hamlet'. This is my favorite 2020 photo of you"

Bella was yawning so I scooped her into my arms next. "Bella Bee, all I have to do to smile is to think of the day we joined our family and rode the 3 hours home tucked inside my jacket all warm, trusting, and snuggled. You still end my every day that way when I hold you to chase away your nightmares and wish you sweet dreams. This is my favorite 2020 photo of you."

Zsofia and Bailey sat on either side of me and showered me with kisses in hopes that I would choose one first. "Girls," I told them, "you are such wonderful sisters to your siblings...and to each other. Zsofia, you are my Itty Bitty Baby Girl, my sensitive one who always knows when to sit next to me with a kiss or a cuddle; and Bailey you are my protector and family peacekeeper. My heart sings to watch you quietly move between flaring tempers and diffuse the situation without a word. You each are uniquely my darkest White Dogs and I count on you. My favorite 2020 photo is one of both of you that captures that sisterly love and genuineness."

"You are my blessing, Roman. I need only watch your progress and see you choosing to think before reacting to be filled with hope. I am so proud of how far you have come these past few months when the rest of the world was going bonkers, you seemed to find insight. My favorite 2020 photo of you was a hard choice; you playing with a toy was awesome but in the end I must go with this one that captures your growing wisdom."

Opal had been quietly listening. I called her to sit beside me and wrapped my arm around her. "Opal, this has been a difficult year for you. When Pearl left for the Bridge you sort of lost your sense of place with us and have been trying on different 'hats' to redefine yourself. I want you to know you are cherished and loved for being who and what YOU are...not because you take over Pearl's Watcher Bark...or run with the Big Girls. It is YOU...the girl who is nice to everyone...my caregiver...my girl who makes the stuffies sing...who is so appreciated for yourself. One of my favorite things this year is that you have begun to hop up on the bed and be comfortable claiming the spot next to me. And that is my favorite photo of you in 2020...Opal, the Brave."

Last, but certainly not least. "Steve is this my favorite photo of YOU in 2020, sitting in the peaceful night with Roman, alone together after dinner,  taking the time with him, as you do with each member of our family, to remind him he is loved."

And to be fair, my favorite photo of me in 2020? This one, surrounded by so much love.