I'm sick.

In the past thirteen months, I haven't called in sick to my job a single time. In the past two days, I've called in twice.

Bleh.

it's been a while... and yes, I do realize that pretty much all of my entries start like that now. I used to post every day, now it's amazing if I post twice in a month.

ah, life is so crazy. One day you think you have things figured out, the next they're gone, then back again. Hmm. I'm not sure why I even said that, because I'm really not having an issue with that right now.

Life is beautiful. So very beautiful.

Work continues... there's rumors of my promotion to manager, but as of yet, we're still working on that. I love my coworkers, the environment, most of the other managers... but do you have any idea what it's like to wake up at 4:30 in the morning 4-5 days a week, for weeks on end? I think my brain is losing intellectual capacity. (No comments, please.) We're running the top drive-thru in our chain, and yet I think it's getting to me... It's all so routine. I could do it in my sleep. No, really. What do you think I do when I get there at 5:30 and wake up at 8? hehe. And you think I'm kidding.

In other news... my brother is. getting. married. In five days. Oh my gosh, how in the world did this happen? haha, it's so weird. Seriously.

That's life, pretty much... there are more intricate details, of course, but I'm lazy, and I've been up since 4:30, and I worked 11 hours. So I'm not writing more right now. Smile anyway.

"He died last night."

it's moments like these that make us remember that tomorrow is a gift...

So maybe it wasn't a lifelong friend. I knew him. Maybe it wasn't someone I'm all that close to. I talked to him and knew part of his heart.

So sudden. So very, very sudden.

The questions immediately fill our heads... why? more specifically, why now?

He had four kids still at home. The oldest is about to graduate high school. The youngest clinged to him like there was no tomorrow...

and last night, there was no tomorrow.

why?

in spite of the questions, there is peace and hope.

"Good morning! How are you doing this beautiful day?" "I'm fine, how are you?" "I'm sooo blessed! How can you be just fine when God painted another gorgeous sunrise this morning?! He sure does love us!"

that's why. He may be gone, but I know where he went. no, I do not know why God took him now. I do know that now was his time. Yes, we grieve for his family, we grieve that we lost a friend...

but we do not grieve for him.

His life is a reminder... a legacy...

one that I will remember.

So long, Mr. Swearingin. Can't wait to see your smile and hear that hearty laugh again... in Heaven, by His side.