Beginnings and endings

It is a strange time right now. There have been a lot of friends of mine with new babies, which I am so happy about. The most adorable little kids, and several colleagues will soon become new fathers next month (and my business school roommate will be a dad shortly as well). At the same time life has been reminding me of the other side. Our VP's father just passed away, and the mother of the SVP passed away (the wake was an interesting experience, as we were given shots of soju. Cultural experience definitely). Then the hardest thing to hear is that a good family friend is having big health problems. I realize that is the cycle of life, but it isn't always easy to be reminded of the second half.