My older cousin just sent over a photo of me, age 3, at his Bar Mitzvah. Rockin' pants!

In the haze of the past few weeks, I forgot to mention that my uncle - his father - died.

I never knew Uncle Alan well. My mother lived with him and her big sister Judy after her parents died. And by the time she finally left for college years later, there was enough stress and baggage in those relationships to color their interactions for the rest of his life.

Thankfully, my older cousin Matt and I have become friends on our own.