Dicksville Notch is the first polling place to open in the storied New Hampshire Primary. During our visit north with John and Kate, Grammy snapped this one of us looking out over the Granite State from the observation deck of the Balsams Resort.

When my sister got married, we all flew out to Salt Lake City. It's the farthest west Tracey had ever been to date. (We later trekked to Seattle.) Breaking away from the group, we drove over to the Great Salt Lake to make sure we had a mantle picture. They say it's so salty you can't sink; what they don't tell you is it actually repels you long before you get wet because the lake stinks.

One of the things we were always thankful for is having taken time to travel before becoming parents. And, did Tracey love to travel. When I landed my job at KIKK, she was so excited to learn the sales staff went on an annual trip together. (Anyone in the business can tell how long ago THAT was.)

We went to Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, Playa Del Carmen, and Taos--all on the company dime. Oh, those were the days when radio was all about the product.

She was happiest when she had her passport and a boarding pass in her hand. And, as Dr. Seuss might say, oh the places we did go.

Okay, maybe that's overstating it a bit. But it's close to the way we were. Still, it is the good times we remember--if that song is to be believed. When we journey up to the buccolic expanses of New York state for her brother's wedding, we simply HAD to make the trek to Niagra Falls. I'm certain there's a snow globe somewhere in our attic from this trip.

There's only one person who's ever completely believed in me by choice. Something she once said typified her steadfast commitment to the man she loved. I had just landed the job in Houston and flew home to the Cape. Word got to her before I did. When I called to give her the news, she simply said, "when do we leave."

At every twist in the road, she was always willing to trust and support. In those trying times and the star-studded ones, I could always hear her acclaim from behind the spotlight in the balcony of my dreams. I still can.

On our first wedding anniversary, we rushed home to our new apartment after work to enjoy the long-frozen top of our wedding cake. Mom must have done something right when she made it, because it was just as good a year later. We had just moved into our third apartment (in two years) and were so excited to have a shaded patio. She glowed so perfectly that day. So glad I caught the moment.

There was a time when we had just one. Alex (as we called him then) was a gift from God. While neither of us really had any idea of what we were getting into (or doing at times), he was glue that held us together as we figured it out. He still is.

Even though he prefers being called John these days, there's a shimmer of that round little man still in his twinkling eyes.

We took this one on his first trip home to Grammy's house (the one I grew up in) back in New Hampshire. Mom made he delightful ensemble. I've saved it for HIS little man.

How better to celebrate Mothers Day than honoring Tracey and the blessed mother? The idea came in a flash as I discussed landscaping around the Mary statue we donated to the kids' school. The kids and I completed the job in just under five hours--sort of. The stones were delivered Friday; John and I placed them in the circle. Saturday, another school parent stripped out the sod. In the afternoon of a typically-packed Saturday, the kids and I made four trips to bring over the soil (18 2-cubic foot bags) and mulch (6 more bags). Then, after Mother's Day Mass, the kids and I dragged, dug, poured, raked and planted. Five hours later, we finished what you see here... It's the first time I've ever planted a single flower. I'm confident that within the next two weeks, I'll get my nails clean again. Fr. Mario took time to come out and bless her in memory of Tracey. It was a special day I hope they'll remember for a long time.