What I’d miss if you were gone.

Last night, during a family holiday dinner, I stood by the pantry watching my loved ones from a distance. I smiled when my sister-in-law Missy let out her big, exuberant laugh. I took note of my brother Steven’s sly smile as he teased his wife Jan. I snapped a group photo with my mind’s eye of the raucous clan before me – the gang I call my people.

This is what I’d miss if you were gone, I thought to myself as I scanned the room in search of memorable moments. I do this more often these days bec...