Dear Dad, A year? I still shake my head. How could it be a year since you died? My unstoppable, force-of-nature father. The man who I’m named for. The man who I get my height and my blues eyes from. The man who taught me—by example—family comes first. It doesn't seem possible. Or fair. The biggest—and most obvious—truth is I miss you. We all miss you. None of us were ready for you to die. Though from past experience, I’m not sure anyone is ever ready. (A harsher truth.) This

Super Woman Shelli with her awesome husband Dick, flanked by #StempkowskiStrong members Mom and me. When I walked into the Oncology Department of the hospital with my mom, we were greeted by a masked figure in a cape. It was my sister, Shelli. Or Super Woman as we’ve taken to calling her. I bought her the mask and cape for Christmas. She embodies everything a super hero is on the inside. I figured it was important that it showed on the outside as well. Sibs. There are fewer