A new version of the year of firsts

“You’re entering the year of firsts,” my friend Ileen explained as we talked on the phone the week after my dad passed. The first Thanksgiving. The first Christmas. The first birthday – both yours and his.

As I navigated the holidays after my dad died, I’d soon discover there were other types of firsts. The first time I’d publish a new book without him being alive to read it. Or when I reached for my manicure kit and realized I’d never get to care for his nails the way I used to during our vi...