At six weeks old she is a wisp of a being who collapses against me in total repose before she finishes most bottles. A snacker more than a chowhound, for now. I savor her warmth snuggled against me, her body a tiny beanbag molded to mine. And I delight in her wild hair sticking straight up, tickling, like a ’90s troll doll. Her eyebrows melt my heart. Precious. Each morning of my visit, I scramble upstairs by 6:00 just to watch my son feed her, my first grandchild. Priceless. Before long I murmur, “My turn?” hands already reaching. Perfect.
Carol Alfred was an educator and writer who lived with Dugan, her husband of 47 years, in beautiful Monkton, Vermont, where she walked, hiked, and snowshoed well, and golfed badly. Her pieces have been published in the Sunday Boston Globe’s Globe Magazine and performed in Vermont Stage’s Winter Tales production. Carol was also an active member of the Five Minutes community of writers; in addition to this piece, she also published MODEL WIFE with us. She served as a reader in July, and was hoping to be part of our September in-person event. Her recurring cancer prevented that, but her daughter Glynne was able to attend in her stead. Carol passed away last month. We are so glad to have had her as part of our community, and we send our love and condolences to her family.