Gratitude is very difficult to grasp in the midst in abundance. It’s hard to appreciate anything when you have so much of everything.

"We love telling stories about perseverance, but we hate living through it," he said. "Perseverance is painful. But the purpose of your future is sometimes birthed in the pain of the fire."

Happy year-and-a-half to our daughter, Ora. You are truly the sweetness to each new day.