It hasn't been a good day. One of those days when it's hard just to be nice, much less be spiritual -- but I'm still working on patience, and I'm doing better than I once would have. My dad called me this evening to tell me that my uncle Dennis has died. I wasn't close to him, but still -- it's a family thing, and must be devastating for my grandparents, who I will call tomorrow, as soon as I can find a peaceful stretch of time in which to make a serious phone call.