Perspective

It's been quite a week.

After getting upset because we had to put $1,000 into our 1998 Volvo (which requires duct tape to keep the inside back door panel in place) for an oil leak, the 35W bridge collapse happened, and it made our problems seem pretty minute. Then, after getting rather worked up yesterday because our other car was requiring some expensive maintenance, and after discovering that someone had just hit the Volvo, making it comically hard to open the passenger door, I found out some additional news that again put things into perspective for me. (Funny how easy it is to keep gaining and losing perspective, but I suppose that's what being human is all about.) After nearly three years of trying to get pregnant, a good friend of mine found out that she and her husband have succeeded, naturally. It is absolutely wonderful news.

Finally, this morning I got the news that a former co-worker died yesterday. She had had some problems, and I don't know the circumstances of her death. But she was a wonderful, kind person, and her loss is a tragedy and a waste.

Many of you know that Matt has been laid off. His last day is tomorrow. But there are even good things about this. Matt will get to stay home with Madeleine, at least in the short run, and he will no longer be spending long days at a job he had come to strongly dislike. He is already a happier person.

We really are a lucky family.