Here's another way to look at it (I'm referring to Shelli's comments about my last entry).  Russ and Sherri are approaching the reward period of time when they see their first born son go out into the world and prove by his success the kind of wonderful parents that they have been and are.  Sharon will finally get some resolution and be able to move on and beyond this distressing time caused by the infidelity of her former friend.  Grandma and Crystal are continuing to rebuild the connection between them.  Robert is starting his new job for real after his training, and he really likes it, and Cicily is finding ways to be successful as a stay at home  mom, and liking that.  I think that Russ and Sherri got a new truck just today, but I'll have to wait and see if that is true.  The new grand child (#23) will bring with it it's own love.  And Richard and Kathy will settle into things just as the rest of us have, and I think they have or will have gotten themselves a new car too, having been forced into that 'blessing'.  Sharolyn is tough and she won't let this deal slow her down too much.  And as for Shelli and Phil I really believe that tough challenges bring wonderful blessings.  So they, along with the rest of us must have wonderful things to look forward to. Sheila tells me that as she has just read this paragraph that I need to make sure that you understand that I am writing this in a most positive tone.  Sure I clutter my mind with 'what if games' and I wonder all the time about what might or might not happen.  But I conclude that I am really quite positive.  In fact, as I see life 'in the long run' I am totally positive.  After all of the sermons and lessons and talks about trials, challenges and opposition and tests and tragedy I am starting to see them as just part of life.  And, in fact, a required part of life.  Kind of like raising children.  They come with all of that built in, and I wouldn't trade any of you for an easy life.   And I hope that as all of us meet those kinds of things that we will continue to be there for each other as I believe we are now.  I thrill to see the way that you support each other and we want you to know that we will do the same for any of you if you allow it to happen.  Forever families have a 'now' too.