Amen to the fatted calf idea. Sometimes it's just the joy that matters - not the whats and whys and wherefors.
My brother has been missing for 28 years. He would be 58. My mom no longer talks about him, but ... if he were to reappear I'd somehow find a fatted calf. As of 3 years ago I know he was alive - had a friend who is a police chief check for us.
So .... don't look too deep, just love, love, love.