He nodded.  "I'll let him recover from his embarrassment from the fall first.  I also need to finish up whatever work your mother was going to do."  He hugged her softly.  "It does indeed pain everyone for him to live as he is choosing to live.  Perhaps I can reach him in some way.  I lost my sister long ago so I know how it feels to lose a sibling."   A sadness crept onto his face.  "It is all too easy to focus only on what is gone instead of what you still have.  A lesson I won't ever forget."  He shook his head.  "But onto happier topics!  Why don't you enjoy cooking?"  His inquiry was solely to joke with her, though his face displayed nothing but seriousness.