We have had a week filled with joy and with grief.  Jim's cousin's son hung himself over the weekend.  Although they were able to get him to the hospital (ironically the same hospital Amy was air lifted to) they were not able to revive him sufficiently.  He was declared brain dead and I imagine this meant the family had to make that awful final decision to let him go.  They don't seem to know if he was experimenting with a "game" or if he had some other intention.  He was only 13 so unpredictability is part of the package I think.  We went to Pennsylvania and watched his parents, grandparents and great grandmother bury him.  Such loss is unspeakable. 

As is so often typical in such situations, mourners found themselves comforted by his parents instead of the other way around.  This is an amazing phenomenon to me.  Perhaps it's a coping mechanism for the grief stricken family to be able to wrap themselves around others and offer comfort and hope.  It gives them a function during a time when no sense can be made of your surroundings and loss.  If so, that's a blessing from God.

And speaking of blessings, Jim' niece gave birth this weekend to a baby boy!  A new leaf on the tree.  Gotta love it.  I think I have mentioned the great balance present in the universe and this is a perfect example. 

The events of the weekend also serve as a reminder to tell those we love how we feel.  Every day.  Every chance you get.  Love you all!