There was a period a few years ago that it seemed we had an unusual number of deaths among our workers. We’d hear of them in the news or if they were employees, by word of mouth. Jacklyn was accidentally shot by her husband as they fought over a shotgun he wanted to take on a hunting trip. Katie was killed by a former boyfriend. Ellen had a stroke on the bus and remained in a coma for two years. Visitors were always asked if there was anyone in the family who could pay the bills. Her husband abandoned her without a trace because the bills were impossible to pay. A receptionist died of a brain tumor. Several people in the office died of AIDS.
It made us all reflect on how life is short and tomorrow is not guaranteed. I know that between then and now, I have made a bucket list and try to put short term and long term goals in writing.
July 2, 1996