So on the one hand, I’ve been astoundingly busy as usual. I came back to work on Monday from my two weeks of vacation and have been hip-deep in everything, so much so that I spent the morning thinking, “Wow, it’s Friday already? How’d that happen?” It hasn’t been a bad busy, just a “no time to concentrate on other stuff while at work” busy. Which some people might argue is how work is supposed to be anyway. 🙂
There was no frisbee on Monday due to the rain drenching the fields. But I did go to gaming on Wednesday, and tonight I’m hosting a poker game, which looks like it’s going to be a full house. So that should be fun. Hopefully I won’t come home and developing a splitting headache like I did last night, which Debbi thinks was because I didn’t have any caffeine (at all) until dinnertime yesterday.
So I’ve been running around and getting frazzled with all of that. Meanwhile I learned that a good friend of mine was diagnosed with leukemia (specifically chronic lymphocytic leukemia).
And boy does that put things in perspective.
Jim and I have been friends for about 15 years now (we met through an APA when I was in grad school, and he was instrumental in my attending science fiction conventions), though I think we’ve only seen each other once since I moved to California, at Worldcon Boston. Which is, you know, not often enough. So now I’m thinking I should make time this year to go visit him and his family (especially since his daughter apparently doubts my existence), or at least, y’know, call more often.
It’s thinks like that which make you put the other things in your life into perspective. Not in the “at least I don’t have that problem” way, but in the “some things are more important than figuring out which bugs I need to fix today, like my friend, he’s more important” way.
My thoughts and wishes go out to your friend – I’ve had my troubles but I’ve been fortunate to not have had life threatening health issues.
Reconnecting with my Grandmothers when i moved back to Midwest did teach me a bit of discipline about doing today what you are inclined to leave until tomorrow… I knew I wouldn’t have them much longer so when i was inclined to skip a visit here or there because I was tired or overworked, I *made* myself take the time. I was very conscious that there would be a day soon when I wouldn’t have a choice in the matter. And it was worth the effort – I was blessed with the time I had left with them and built real friendships. Of course, it made it all the harder to say goodbye when the time came… But 20, 30, 40 years from now – I will be able to feel good that I did everything I could to be with them when they were here and not have any regrets about things left undone.
“And boy does that put things in perspective.”
Yep, it sure does.
“Which is, you know, not often enough. So now I’m thinking I should make time this year to go visit him and his family (especially since his daughter apparently doubts my existence), or at least, y’know, call more often.”
Oh, you’re always welcome. Or at least, gimme a call.
Dang, I really need to! Where the hell has the year gone?