I think of Meghan often, we're still in touch, she's had some challenging years, and I'll tell ya, I see it in a dozen different ways, at work, with friends: this world is fucking hard.

 

I've been lucky, oh so lucky, and if I'm lucky...see...I'll make it through this life with not too many regrets and no debt and feeling okay about the whole ride.

 

And that's pretty much what it takes for almost all of us, a lifetime of Luck.

 

Because skill, it's not enough. Not enough to keep yourself from a workplace accident, or to keep you out of harm's way more generally.

 

Forces way beyond our control act on us every single moment of every single day, and there's very little to be done about it.

 

I've got folks at work who were all set to get their careers going, only for an accident to sideline everything.

 

Friends who can't seem to crawl out of a hole of bad luck.

 

Seen people unable to find a solid path, flounder for years on end.

 

I say all this not to bring ya down, but to remind you (and myself) that what we've got...we should continue to cherish. I look around at my modest apartment, goddamn, this place ain't so bad! Lady I love is sleeping in the bedroom while I type on these here keys, got friends and family all over this city, got a job that's fun and stimulating...what luck!

 

Gotta remind ourselves of what we've got, frequently! And how fortunate we are to still be able to get out of bed every morning.