I suppose if friendships were judged solely on longevity, our friendship with Pud would be one of the shortest and most superficial. But with Pud, it didn't matter if you were family, friend….long time well-met, or someone who just dropped by to pet Molly. You were joyfully treated just the same as if you had known her for almost all of her 87 years. We lived for about a year and a half (about 1997-1999) just three doors down from Pud on Centenary. On my daily morning jog I would stand the newspaper on end next to the front door so that she could easily bend to pick it up, having learned that she was an elderly lady and, I believe, had had some kind health or back problem at the time. It was the kind of thing you just do. Because, it should be done. That's what neighbors do. And I didn't think a thing about it. In fact, I didn't mention it to my wife Ann until one day, after about a week or two of doing this I found a note attached to Pud's front door asking who was doing this "good deed" for her. I didn't write back; no need to. Until a few days later, there was another note insisting, in no uncertain terms, that I let her know who it was bringing her newspaper to her, and to come to the side door and knock. And as an incentive, she attached a chocolate chip cookie in a small plastic bag. Not one to pass up the chance for a follow-up chocolate chip cookie, I dutifully went to the side door. It was the start of a wonderful, sometimes sporadic, friendship. Drop by. Talk a bit. Pet Molly. Sometimes walk Molly. And trade holiday cards and goodies each year. It has been a delightful 12 years knowing Altamary Houston "Pud" Love. Not for the chocolate chip cookies I love so much, but for the many times she shared her laugh, her smile and uniquely Texan view of the world. And, oh yes, the hugs, too. Those were good, too. We'll miss her.
