Highlights: Still wrestling with a massive workload and daily chaos. Reaching a breaking point in delegation and engagement on a few people, I'm going to have some direct but hopefully positive discussions with folks this week as I try to reinstall more accountability and less autonomy. Not sure yet how that'll go. I enjoyed the party Friday (see Crossing Streams post) and woke up early this morning. As I lay in bed with Scottie on the pillows above our heads and Lucky between us, I felt a strong sense of gratitude and awareness of the temporary nature of it all. I rested my hand on Jen's hip and thought about how much this meant to me. Her, the dogs, the friends, the experiences we're having. Just… life. It's so easy to get obsessed, lost, frustrated, or even elated about whatever is happening at the moment, but to step back and realize all of it will change and end for me, makes me value it all the more. Why I stress about anything at all is sort of idiotic in that context. Tommy witnessed a likely fatal accident this morning, and I recognize that as another reminder not to lose touch with the larger picture. I rested my hand on Jen as these thoughts crossed my mind. I've told her often, as recently as this morning, how much her presence has been a gift to me too. We went to a "Soup Pot Luck" tonight at Mark and Lynn's. Jen made wonderful Tomato Basil soup. Seriously one of the best, but all were excellent. Matt's Artichoke soup, Dave and Marie's vegetable beef, Mark and Lynn's Tortilla soup and "Cock and Leek" (chicken) soup, and a cold cantaloupe soup. Brent and Kim came by too. Brent has his health challenges, and that's always at the forefront of my mind when I see them. I make the most of what we have. And I'm trying to stop being as focused on what I want to say or share and listen more to others. There are as many, if not more, great stories to be heard than there are for me to tell.