June 21

The truth is that it's very, very easy to focus on what we've lost. And in some ways, it makes complete sense that we do just that: after all, it's totally, completely, and utterly justifiable to mourn someone who departed this life far too soon. It's normal to pine for that person and to imagine what he or she would be like if they hadn't been dealt such a crummy hand. It's normal to look at an empty chair and to wonder what that special missing person would be doing if he or she hadn't had to go. And holidays, of course, are extra challenging for us. I think Mother's Day may be the worst of all for me, and I suspect that Father's Day is equally brutal for Adam.

But I think if I've learned one thing over the past three-plus years, it's to appreciate --fully-- what we do have. And this is part of what we have:

Today, we went to the A's game with Adam's parents, brother and sister-in-law, sister, and nephew. (You can't see little Theo, but he's there under the "Theo" button. Like any self-respecting four-month old, he powered down shortly after arrival.) Logan is the only one missing, of course, but I can see bits and pieces of him in every single face in this photo.

It's a blessing to have family close by, and it's an even bigger blessing to be able to get together for a pleasant, lazy afternoon with a group of people who love and miss my Sunshine, too.