I went to a funeral today. I'd known the guy for many years. I didn't know him real well, but I wish I had. He was well loved and respected, an amazing guy. He went too young (cancer) and left a grieving family.
I'm at the point in life where things like this affect me much more than they used to. As I see and hear the story of this man's life, I realize that will be me someday, hopefully later than sooner, but nobody knows. I realize just how short and fleeting life really is. Our days really are like a blade of grass. It really makes me want to hug my kids and make the most of every day.
It makes me want to really try to worry less about the minor stresses of life. I get worked up about things my employer has done and how I'm going to make ends meet, how I'm going to save for retirement or help my kids with college. Those things are important, but all I can really do is hang in there and do my best to figure it out; no point in killing myself with stress over it. There's especially no point in adding to my stress with silly arguments with family, coworkers, or anonymous people online. I have family who will likely never talk to each other ever again, over stupid disagreements and hurt feelings!
It makes me want to get rid of half or more of all my guns and reloading stuff (I've actually been working on that one). Nothing wrong with having guns, or a nice collection, but there are times when I think I spend too much time on my hobby, and I want to spend every minute with my wife, and my kids while they're still young, make some great memories and influence them to become good men and women in the years to come. Those years fly by all too fast. My own dad focused and stressed too much on his day to day work and building his business, and has said he doesn't remember a lot about me and my sisters growing up. I won't make that same mistake.
Thank you for bearing with my personal thoughts and ramblings.