Kickass the storm of dying

Kickass, the doorstop dog, notes that within the keeper’s extended family, two much loved and respected women died this summer: daughter-in-law Dora, while hurricane Dora raged; and later, a son’s mother-in-law named Irma.

The named meteorological excesses are not necessary to memorialize the two we lost: They are remembered for the many good things their compassionate and decent lives produced.

But, with the cooperation of the weather, they did not go quietly into that good night and we must love them the more for that and remember the examples they set.