My 18-year old niece died very unexpectedly following surgery. Everything went fine, but she just died. My sister and brother-in-law asked me to take pictures of the gatherings, since, as we all know, extended families are often only together for weddings and funerals. For me, it was both an honour and a boon, since it gave me something to do. I can begin to imagine what it must be like to lose a child, but only begin, and I admire the courage it takes to be parents in spite of things like this. And count our blessings that we live in a time and place where losing children is rare -- if only everyone in the world could say that.