Thank you for sharing your story. I too believe that it is not just blood that creates family. We loved Ray with our whole being and we most definitely cling to all the good memories and stories we shared. Today in town I walked over to some homeless folks and gave them some money. The two friends who were with me did too although they probably wouldn't have if I had not. The man we gave the money to was with a couple more folks who were huddled under a tarp and he was sharing food with them. The fellow said my smile at him made his day as much as the money. Ray used to say that he hated how people regarded him when he was living on the streets; that they thought he was less than human. He was ashamed of himself because he had relapsed. Now I try to reach out to folks like him. So many people get marginalized so easily.