Since it's not only directed to Mike, but also to all I jump in. At this moment on top of my own list is flow. Family is the second item on the list, not the first one. Some may be of opinion that I apparently therefore are more egoistical than altruistical. If so, tell me here. I am prepared to try to explain what I mean with flow.

>Mike Beane's situation is reason for this post.
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>It seems getting older, retiring from a job, undergoing a "fractuosity" like a heart attack, cancer, or anything that may take you to the intersection of life and death causes one to ask, "what matters?"
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>Having been almost killed on numerous occasions, growing older, retiring from one job, etc, I've given it a lot of thought. I have come to the conclusion that family, friends and making things better than they would otherwise be, without you, are the only things that REALLY matter. Everything else is fluff or distraction, it seems.
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>As I was getting closer to retirement, I asked myself, "did I make a difference?" I think I did, and I continue to do so in my chosen field. It is my passion, so it's easy to do. The next hard question is really the same question for life. I've heard it said that few people will say, on their deathbed, "I wish I had worked more." I've been a work-a-holic all my life, or so I'm told. So, I've been working on spending time with others who matter. It's like I tell my wife, God's not through with me yet!<g>
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>Mike, this is for you, buddy. What matters in life?