I need some downtime

(Let me apologize in advance for the vagueness of some of the information in the following post. I find that I need to keep some information about myself private and you may not always understand where I'm going with some things unless you know me personally.)

It's been a very hard week. I recently found out that someone I respected a great deal, a person who comforted me when I needed it and gave very sage advice, has succumbed to cancer. I will miss him dearly.

I also found out yesterday that a cowoker has lost a SECOND brother in Iraq. His younger brother was killed last year, and yesterday he was notified that his older brother had also been killed. There is no consoling him. We cannot find the words. I can tell you that if they hold any services in the area, I will be sure to be there representing our organization to full effect. For those of you who know what I do for a living, you will understand what I mean. This young man and his brothers have overcome an ubringing as a inner city youths to become talented and quite educated sons of our fair city. We owe it to him and his family to show the full support of our brotherhood. There should be no question.

And with that, I have to say goodnight. For you it may be a good morning, for me it is melancholy. I need to spend some quiet time today grieving for those I knew, those I know only by association, and those who will end their lives today despite my best efforts to change that outcome last night. Don't worry, I don't carry the weight of the world on my shoulders, but I still need to maintain my humanity lest I lose myself completely.