The kind words offered here "into thin air" and the many private emails I have received offering condolences and prayers confirm that we truly are a family. Brought together by our interest in these silly pieces of clay, but greater and stronger than a simple gathering of collectors.

Maybe it helps to understand that the sorrow in the loss of a loved one, be they human or otherwise, is the yin to the yang of love. If we didn't love so passionately, we wouldn't hurt so deeply. Would we sacrifice our ability to love to avoid the pain of loss? I don't think so.