This is a way for me to modulate my loneliness. Just got these pictures from my dad. Deborah and the boys just left their place after spending a couple of weeks there. They're now in Minneapolis, visiting some adoptive families. I still have to wait 'til the end of the week to see them again.

So, here are the cousins, all together except Jordane, with Grandma and Grandpa. I love all the smirks on their faces; looks like they're having a good time.

Aubrey and Kael's grandpas took them golfing.

They spent the better part of a week, off and on anyway, at a nearby campsite. Relaxing and enjoying the outdoors.

I suppose there are probably people in the world somewhere right now who are suffering a greater form of injustice than I am right now, but I really miss my family.

I've just arrived home in the Philippines from our trip to Montana for Dennis' final memorial services. We met out in the fields where Dennis grew up, and scattered some of his ashes there to symbolize his homecoming.

It was the first time that the Gunderson family has been all together out in Montana for twenty years. Aubrey said at some point over the weekend, 'If grandpa hadn't died, we wouldn't be all together.'

My parents were able to come down from Canada for it as well, so it was a very precious opportunity for our families to be together. There's no time when you more need nor more richly experience the value of family togetherness.