There are always going to be bad things going on, you can't escape it, it's part of life. But just because some less than satisfactory things have happened, doesn't mean you don't deserve to be happy, Peter. You don't have to dwell so hard on the bad. Take the good for what it's worth and hold onto that instead. I'm not trying to belittle everything happening recently, it's serious and no one knows what's happening right now and that's fucking terrifying...but one day, putting aside all the crazy for one day? It doesn't mean you don't care. It just means you're taking a day, a few hours to take a break. And yeah, I think you're right, we should all be getting together. Maybe we can do this sort of thing more often, instead of waiting for a holiday to use as an excuse, you know?
I know you said he's had some not so awesome seal-drops lately. Maybe the distraction will do him good. Plus, bonding-by-cooking! Can you think of a better, more neutral way for that to happen? :P