Glass half empty

Found in my drafts, but originally written 4/16/16

It's been more time than I anticipated since I last posted.  I really tried to be diligent and keep up with the blog, but a few significant life events have happened.  It is a little strange because you don't know me very well, but my primary goal of starting this blog was to be honest about my life, and in that honesty are things that happen that need to be addressed.

My parents are in their early eighties and live in Southern California.  They are very healthy and live independently, but last week I got that dreaded phone call.  My dad has prostate cancer.  It's low level, which is similar to early stage and therefore very treatable.  It seems to be slow growing which is good.  And as it is the case in these situations, after I got off the call, I developed a new lexicon in about 30 minutes:  "PSA, Gleason Score, Active Surveillance..."  I am now an overnight prostate cancer expert.  So that was tough, but I can deal with it.

I could not deal with the call the following week, letting me know that my dear relative, Robert Cooper, had died.  He is somewhat famous.  You might not have heard of him, but if you fancy yourself a cocktail, you've probably had his liqueur, St. Germain, or his family brand, Chambord.  But if you met Rob, you would never have known.  He was the most successful man I knew, yet also the most humble, sincere, and loving man as well.  He left behind an amazing wife, and two wonderful children, a four year old son and 3 month old daughter.  So this is tough, and it is so hard to accept.   I haven't yet told my 11 year old.  He has a very unique and special relationship with Rob.  It's hard to explain, but they were like two old souls coming together and forging a friendship.  Catcher will be devastated. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/28/business/robert-j-cooper-39-creator-of-st-germain-elderflower-liqueur-dies.html?_r=0