In lieu of politics, social issues, current events or economic woes, my mind is instead focused simply on life and the living of today.

I sent my oldest off to prom with his long-time girlfriend this weekend, the last step before graduation and his foray into adulthood. I may have shed a tear or twenty. This step in letting go and allowing him to have his own life without me came on the heels of a week that including the rather emotional revelation of pain and uncertainty in a friend’s world, the news that my dearest friend is faced with a life-changing decision regarding his young son, and a few eye-opening personal moments personally. Pretty heavy stuff, all in all.

And then there was my meeting with the veterans’ support organization with which I volunteer. We have the families of two local fallen heroes who volunteer their time for our organization, selflessly giving of themselves without reservation. I am struck by the dedication and emotion the father of one in particular -himself having served in Vietnam with the 101st- which possibly endearing him to me even more. Though he has lost that most precious to him, he drives on. As he continues to to do so, so does his son.

I suppose a person could choose to dwell on the curve balls and be sad – or I could choose to just continue to be awesome and support those near and dear to me. I am very fortunate in that, no matter the amount of change-ups tossed in my general direction, I have those who remind me that there is always something better, something that reminds us that we are alive, a gift taken far too soon from some and taken for granted by many. Good and bad, it’s all deserving of appreciation.