i'm done complaining...

...for now.

so after a craptastic "vacation," i was back to work yesterday. i quickly decided that my winter relapse wasn't so bad. i'm stubborn. so why the sudden change of attitude?

before i had even walked to my office, i learned that one of my co-worker's father had unexpectedly passed away over the weekend. as if that wasn't enough, it wasn't even half an hour before i found out that another co-worker had lost his nephew.

that kind of puts it in perspective doesn't it? i no longer felt like whining about my trivial losses.

death is interesting that way. i mean aside from the immediate saddness and suffereing, it has a way of putting our everyday worldly concerns in the light they should be. they are fleeting, temporary concerns. this naturally leads us to ponder what is lasting? is anything really eternal?

happily, both of my co-workers, and the bulk of their families understand the plan of salvation that our loving father in heaven prepared for us. they know that the family is a lasting, eternal bond. we're all grateful for the peace and confort this knowledge provides, even in the depth of pain and sorrow.

as always, when a death occurs nearby, thoughts turn to family. since it is the only enduring relationship, what else really matters? all the other activities, demands, and distractions, regardless of their value, properly take a back seat.

hopefully these experiences prompt a shift of focus, back to the things of more importance. even from good, to better. from the transitory and mortal, to the everlasting and undying.

in short, my missed vacation has definitely been over-shadowed by the time i was able to spend with the most important people in my life. all else fades, but we will be together throughout time and all eternity!