absolutely ridiculous and/or cruel reasons ... on this little spinning ball of dirt in a vast universe. Often days I wonder, WTF.

Thanks for pointing me to that Lounge post. I'm so busy these days I don't get to read there as often as I should. That is just too precious.

Life went on...and before I knew it, he was gone.

Sure, Jim didn't die really young. We'd both served together in Vietnam and somehow we both survived.

Still, it feels like I was just holding my newborn baby brother in my arms and when I turned around he was gone...

My parents, my friends that are gone. Somehow, I believe that they know how I feel. I pay homage daily.

You never know when the last time you see someone will be.

That was surely a sight for sore eyes. And reminds me of my own younger brother's fixation during that time. A very timely, heartfelt post, pinboy3niner.

Here ya go:

these days. Heard a Travis Tritt song and my daughter and I sang it together loudly. The chorus goes, "it's a great day to be alive. The sun's still shining when I close my yes. Hard times in the neighborhood, BUT WHY CANT EVERYDAY BE JUST THIS GOOD!" I told them it was the best day in a long, long time, and truer words I have never spoken.
We lost their little brother in 93 and ever since I try to enjoy every minute I can because I learned the day he died that the next day is not guaranteed!

Thank you, pinboy.