Aussie is doing much better. He says the toughest part of growing older is dealing with the absence of those who have shaped your life and made you the person you are. Then, in the wink of an eye, we are reminding that it is now our turn to shape and nurture the future.
BTW, the sweet little angel on the left in post #11 above is Aussie's wife's new cousin and the one on the right is his new niece. Apparently she was delivered at home by an Aboriginal midwife. Shortly thereafter they got word that his wife's cousin had also just delivered in California. Both little ladies are doing well as are their moms.