My first career job out of college was running a large campus arboretum nursery at Michigan State University.

Contemplating the shattered ruins of his toil and hopes, George T. Silva chose his words carefully.

At age 70, I often found myself stretched out awkwardly on the floor of our guest room, peeking under the bed at Wiggle, our new gray tabby kitten.

Standing tall and proud in the historic Mayhew Parsonage in Edgartown is a grandfather clock that has adorned the home of 11 ministers of the Federated Church.