This morning, the kids welcomed home Rick, who was gone for nine days on a business trip.   The time difference between here and Europe really prevents us from sharing any kind of regular communication with him while he is gone. I think this was one of the main reasons that those nine days just seemed so much longer.  All the kids missed him, but I think that his absence effects Cole a little more intensely than the girls.  It's less something that I notice about Cole when he's gone than what I see when the two are reunited.  Cole's eyes light up and he is permanently on his lap, in his arms, or as close as he can get.  There is something very special about the father-son bond.  Not more so than a father-daughter bond, but just different.  And, these two special people are so lucky to have each other!  Actually, we all are.