For the first time in many years I have a beautiful photo of my entire family.
Every time I look at it, all I see is the gaping hole left by the one person who is missing.
![The hole in the picture (Me & Mine, September) all of us 27 sep 2014](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/101/1018035/the-hole-in-the-picture-me-mine-september-L-po_vJt.jpeg)
I lost my dad on September 11th.
This portrait was taken the day after we said goodbye for the final time; our tribute to the family which would not have existed without him. That’s why, for the first time in weeks, we’re smiling.
![The hole in the picture (Me & Mine, September) dad edit](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/101/1018035/the-hole-in-the-picture-me-mine-september-L-7wqHVc.jpeg)
“To laugh often and much,
To win the respect of intelligent persons
And the affection of children;
To earn the approbation of honest critics
And to endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To give of one’s self;
To leave the world a little better,
Whether by a healthy child,
A garden patch
Or a redeemed social condition;
To have played and laughed with enthusiasm
And sung with exultation;
To know that even one life has breathed easier
Because you have lived –
That is to have succeeded.”
![The hole in the picture (Me & Mine, September) dear beautiful](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/101/1018035/the-hole-in-the-picture-me-mine-september-L-5pXeCu.jpeg)
![The hole in the picture (Me & Mine, September) The hole in the picture (Me & Mine, September)](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/101/1018035/the-hole-in-the-picture-me-mine-september-L-40HoYG.jpeg)
![The hole in the picture (Me & Mine, September) The hole in the picture (Me & Mine, September)](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/101/1018035/the-hole-in-the-picture-me-mine-september-L-BUs5E9.jpeg)
![The hole in the picture (Me & Mine, September) The hole in the picture (Me & Mine, September)](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/101/1018035/the-hole-in-the-picture-me-mine-september-L-WCMWWG.jpeg)
![The hole in the picture (Me & Mine, September) The hole in the picture (Me & Mine, September)](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/101/1018035/the-hole-in-the-picture-me-mine-september-L-46b2Vm.jpeg)
![The hole in the picture (Me & Mine, September) The hole in the picture (Me & Mine, September)](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/101/1018035/the-hole-in-the-picture-me-mine-september-L-NJw6Ot.jpeg)
![The hole in the picture (Me & Mine, September) The hole in the picture (Me & Mine, September)](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/101/1018035/the-hole-in-the-picture-me-mine-september-L-khW37R.jpeg)