Exhale
Uncle John is recovering from having undergone three brain surgeries in less than a week. The surgeries were, by all accounts, successful, and he's doing about as well as can be expected under the circumstances. The prognosis for recovery is good, although only time will tell what damage the aneurysm left behind.

I have been reminded that the bond that holds my extended family together is very strong. We're scattered all over the country, and we don't communicate with each other nearly as much as we should, but it's inspiring to see the loyalty that my aunts and uncles and cousins and parents have toward each other. I need to ensure that I don't need a crisis to remind me of that bond, and of why it's important.