Ken . . . standing in our kitchen munching tortilla chips and salsa, jumping into the pool with Jeff and Faith, and always, always making us laugh. Our families spent many New Year’s eves together; many at our home, at least one at Double JJ Ranch and three or so on Mackinac Island. Dec. 31, 1999, is especially memorable. We had a large party, inviting too many revelers who over-indulged. When they finally left at 3 a.m., it was Ken and Teresa who stayed and helped us clean up the incredible mess.
We were standing in the living room saying goodbye when Ken glanced outside and said: “Your garage probably isn’t SUPPOSED to be on fire, right?” (Fireworks had been discarded in the trash bin too soon). A few years ago when Ken and Teresa’s own garage and home were damaged in a fire and the family cat was missing, Ken called me to ask if we could come help with the search: “Patti, it’s Ken. So . . . remember New Year’s, 1999?” That incomparable sense of humor is what I will remember . . . with longing.