M. Ted,

I just got an e-mail from my cousin whose mother has been ill for a number of months now. Apparently the time is near. A good friend of mine's mother passed away Wednesday. You're right, life is too short. Great advice to the younger members.

At times like this I always think of something that my Uncle said at my Grandmothers wake. He is usually the happiest person I know, but he literally hadn't said a word all day, he was extremely upset and introspective. He finally lifted his head and said in his Brooklyn accent to nobody in particular, "You know, life is beautiful, until something bad happens. But you get over it, and life is beautiful again."

I can't think of the number of times this has helped me though tough times.

Sorry to bring things down.

Steve