On the thirteenth of each month, I host a guest blogger (or write a piece myself) about the role luck plays in writing, and in life. This month’s planned guest blogger needed to reschedule. She’s dealing with a young son who has a serious illness.

Two nights ago, I ran into a friend who had just lost his teenage son to an apparent suicide. And the day after that, my mother helped move her beloved husband of the last four years to a care facility, as his brain tumor makes it impossible for her to continue to care for him at their home.

A double rainbow in the sky over Ellensburg, just before a summer storm swept through.

So in their honor, I’m giving this month’s lucky blog (and my contribution to the Writers’ Vineyard, since they fall on the same day) over to a plea to us all to cherish each moment we have with those we love.

After all, as writers and as humans, being given someone to love is the best luck we can have.