Jim of course was not only a dad, but a beloved uncle, son, brother, nephew, and so much more.

At her First Communion, sweet Sarah, our niece, read a Prayer for the Departed and added, “and especially for Uncle Jim.”

I cry whenever I read the names in the guest book from Jim’s service, but I also smile every time I reach Sarah’s brother’s signature, which is accompanied by his earnest proclamation that he loves us “more than pie.”

Jim was the eldest child, with four younger sisters.  We married young, and had produced the first three of a merry mountain of grandchildren when cousin Brian was born.  Jim and I touched his tiny fingers and held him when introduced to him within hours of his birth at Haverhill Hospital.

Brian now towers over me by well over the foot-and-change Jim had on me, and just spearheaded a  walk to raise money for cancer research.

Read his and his brother’s hands.