I was laugh-crying in my bedroom. This beloved high school teacher of mine passed away recently, and a former schoolmate made a video in remembrance of him. If you listen to the last few seconds of this video (9:19), you’ll get one of the reasons I shared a special bond with him.

When we had class together, we disrupted the entire floor with our laughter. As I watched, I thought, “Boy, it is good to celebrate the life of this good, good man.”

I saw this the day after a wedding of a dear friend who will now be moving to Germany with his new bride. I was thrilled to be a part of that celebration. We toasted and clapped and chanted and danced. It was good. And even though I was weepy thinking about this friend not being in Omaha anymore, I am so happy for him to go out on this great new adventure.

Today I’ll head home for another wedding: my baby sister’s. I know she just loves to be called my baby sister, but she is the baby of the family. And here she is, a few short days from starting a new chapter in her life. I don’t know about her, but I feel unprepared. The kid. Married. ohmygod, are we really adults?!

And then she’s moving to Omaha. Losing one local friend, gaining a local sister and brother-in-law — all in the same apartment!

So, I guess what I’m saying is, life is full. There’s a lot to cherish.