While my son was in China last month, he had his portrait done by an artist on china!

He looks very much like himself, on this plate.

We are trying to figure out how and where to display it.

And sometimes I can't believe it: my little boy is a young man...almost eighteen...with a kind of a beard!

Sad, knocked down for a while, but still here!

And heartbreak is a very good weight-loss program. I seem to have shed about 6 pounds from all the crying.

But as I said, I'm still here. That's something.

Sometimes the world feels all turned around, and the ground under your feet isn't solid. The person you love treats you horribly, lies to you, and tears out your heart. The plans and promises you've made become like cackling, mocking bird calls in your head, and you question everything you've shared.

This is my state of mind, as I have broken off my relationship, which was very near the point of marriage.

I hurt, but there is hope that my feet will be on the ground again soon and that new love will eventually find me.

And I'll never forget the old love; I just can't live my life with him, as I'd hoped.

He was standing next to me when I took this photo in January. The sky is the Oakland Zoo sky. We shared that beautiful time together and so many more. Now we are through.

Polly is so happy to have her boy back! He has traveled the globe and has been sleeping odd hours to catch up with that pesky jetlag. The other day, Polly insisted on getting up on the bed with him!

Is it real or is it Jon Renau fashion wig? You tell me!

Mother's Day, this year, I was in Canada, away from my fabulous teenager. So belatedly, I am now taking a moment to celebrate my life as Mom. On the left is my favorite photo of me holding baby Ethan, who only lived 138 days but who is never forgotten. On the right is me holding a tired and happy A.J., who had just spent the whole afternoon at the Minnesota Zoo with me. I believe we are gazing at Mr. Moose. I love our hair and our cuddly mood in this photo. I love my boys.

Just a few of the quieter moments from my time up in Vancouver in May. Somehow we always end up back at the water's edge there. And the light. The light in Vancouver, when it's not raining, or even when it is...I love the light in Vancouver.