daveswoodhauler said:
This is quite often, I think, never given a second (or first) thought as we cruise through our normally crisis-free lives. Then something happens. Something so unexpected, so unimaginably important, so potentially life-changing that it stops us in our tracks and strains our capability to believe it's really happening. These moments, inevitable in our lives, slap us hard in the face with the realities of the fragility of life and of our own mortality...and of course that of those we love. I think it's a good thing to be shaken awake from time to time...maybe we'll tend to stay awake more of the time. I'm certainly happy to hear that things are going well enough for your wife to be home for Christmas, Dave. And I'm hoping that things unfold in her favor from here on out until this nightmare is resolved once and for all. But...and it's a big but...never lose sight of the inescapable fact that somewhere in your future you'll come face to face with another situation as tough or tougher. Then sometime another. It's a part of life. The hardest part. So don't forget your words I quoted above. Take them to heart, tattoo them on your arm, whatever...just don't forget them. Merry Christmas to your happily reunited family, and may the new year bring you nothing but good outcomes. Rick
