"I have a fat rubber Pokemon character on my key ring. I don't know his name, but he glows in the dark. He arrived in a care package from my friend Stephen's brother, Ronnie. Ronnie lives in Kentucky and we've met only once — at Stephen's funeral in 1995. Since then, a carton from Ronnie and his family arrives at my house each year on Stephen's birthday. The box always contains a note and flavored tea, soup, and other comfort foods. One year the Pokemon guy was in there, too. This seemingly unattractive thing has come to symbolize the friendship and deep connection that was born as we shared the almost unbearable pain of losing Stephen. Each time I spot this gray and yellow creature on my key ring, it reminds me that although I am powerless over so much in life, I am always surrounded by the Creator's love. We all are."