A day of contrast ahead for me. I’m very excited about having time today to work on my hobbies and create. I’m feeling a bit better than yesterday, I hope that isn’t just the morning energy masking something but I’m going with the feeling.

This stage of life always presents more loss because it’s just the way life works. People get old and pass. After all this good feeling this morning and lots of shooting and maybe some drawing and carving, I’ll get ready to go to a viewing of an old friend.

After that I’ll come home and watch the Maryland basketball game and feel upbeat again. I think that is a lesson I’m learning gradually. It’s okay to get living again quickly while also mourning those who have passed.

Because we should get on with living each day to its maximum potential. I haven’t been too good at this in the past, but over time I’ve gotten a bit better. Each passing seems to take a chip out of my heart. Sometimes I’ve been able to rebuild, sometimes not.

Each year there is a loss. This one will be no different. One of my best friends last year had so many services to attend I remember him talking about how draining and difficult it was a few weeks ago.

I belong to a couple of alumni groups from former employers. I love looking at photos and memories people share, and I contribute also from my stash of history but the number of people passing is disheartening at times to where you open the group with trepidation.