Acutely aware of our mortality right now

We've had a heckuva year:

• The Chief's mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer in January and put on home hospice care.
• My mom died very suddenly of cancer in February.
• Her older brother, who's been fighting cancer for several years, was put on hospice care at the end of April.
• The Chief's cousin learned in May that her cancer was back again.
• I just flew out to KY last week for the funeral of KL's partner (might as well have been her husband). He was only 42 years old, so his family & friends will be reeling from the shock for quite awhile.
• And we got the call about my uncle earlier this evening. God finally answered his prayers and called him Home. KY funeral last week, MO funeral this week. The Chief is debating whether to go with me or stay put, in case he needs to travel to his mom's funeral. We were just up there last weekend for a visit; my MIL looked pale but seemed otherwise strong, though that doesn't necessarily mean much.

And various friends have been facing all kinds of challenges, not fatal but still demoralizing - unemployment, health problems, financial straits, kid worries and so on. I generally have a pretty positive outlook on life, but lately it's been rather a challenge to look on the bright side. It all makes the joy of C&D's wedding seems like ages ago, not a mere month.