Today I held an urn in my lap. It was cold and unyielding, but it contains what little pieces of you remain on this earth.  It is not the same as a hug from you- a hug I’ve missed for many months now, but it is the closest I can get.

And I felt, strangely enough, a bit of peace as I held your urn.

I am wearing one of your rings.  The one you bought in Hawaii when I took you for your birthday in 2007.

Tonight we will melt dark chocolate on saltine crackers.

It’s your birthday. You aren’t here to share it with us, but we will still celebrate you.