No, I wasn’t really trying to edit my tattoo–I like what it says.  And, no, I wasn’t trying to end it all.  I believe that since I didn’t create myself, I don’t have the authority to destroy myself.  And anyway, I mostly like being alive.  Besides, my cats would miss me.

No, I was replacing a ballast on a light fixture at work today.  It’s a job I have done thousands of times.  What’s more, I am Mr. Safety at work.  I had the breaker locked off.  I had inspected the ladder and had it set properly.  I had my safety glasses on.  I removed the bulbs and set them to the side.  I tested the line voltage at the ballast, even though I had the breaker locked off.

I did everything right, damnit! 

So what happened?  I dropped the sheet metal ballast cover and tried to catch it, and…

Among my varied jobs over the years, I have worked as a journalist and as a communications director for a pediatric hospital.  Because of those experiences, I have been exposed to a wide variety of people; people from all sorts of backgrounds, from all walks of life and with all sorts of beliefs.  And as I’ve gotten older, I realize that whether I “liked” these people or not was not the reason God brought them into my life.  He brought them into my life so I could learn and grow.

I have been very blessed to be a part of my current faith community.  During these last few years, and especially during these last few months, they have been so important in my journey forward.  And every day they teach me something.

I want to share wise words from my friend Mariana.  She shared these words with her friends today…