Inspiring people to live well is the best legacy one can leave behind

I found out this evening that an old college friend died suddenly on Tuesday at the downright juvenile age of 43. He had a heart attack while getting a checkup, ain't that a bitch?

We'd mostly fallen out of touch in recent years, but he had such amazing energy, ebullience, humor, and artistic talent that my memories of him remain as vivid and vibrant now as they did twenty years ago (as I expect they will until the day I expire). It was crushing news to be sure, but I'm also taking it as a stark reminder that we never know when our own ticket is going to get punched. Instead of letting life's uncontrollables get the best of us, we should all strive to live with as much warmth and bonhomie as Neil did.

Anyway, now for the "little things" since my last check-in:

- After work on Tuesday I stopped by Carroll Park to replace the outdated signs in our five bulletin boards with newbies promoting this weekend's City Harvest food drive and the volunteer reception we're throwing this spring. Unfortunately, it was well below freezing and terribly windy, so fumbling with keys, locks, tacks, and posters was far more of a chore than usual. I was (blessedly!) foiled halfway through my mission though, when the bulletin board key snapped off in one of the locks like it was made of saltine. Obviously those little guys aren't made for that kind of prolonged cold. I guess that since it's so unpleasant out, folks aren't lingering to read the material in our bulletin boards anyway, right?!

- After getting home and thawing out, I took to Twitter and Facebook to announce the $2500 matching donation grant challenge we received for January contributions to the Sean McGrath Fund. I hope we can drum up enough support to receive the entire sum!

- Wednesday I sold, packaged, and shipped 11 CDs to raise money for the Sean McGrath Fund.