That phrase broke through the heavy curtain of my grief. Don't go to the funeral today. It even let a little sunshine in. He was right. Unlike a sudden death, we have more time to live together. We have each day.

People don't get cancer because God wants to teach them a lesson. Children don't starve to death to learn about universal love. Life includes suffering, simple as that. Feel it, endure it, and hopefully -- when you finally stop trying to make sense of it -- it will pass.

A patient of mine realized that if he wanted to attract a loving and caring woman who took responsibility for herself, he would have to learn to be loving and caring toward himself.

Sometimes one can be exhausted before getting out of bed in the morning. Life on life's terms. Suiting up and showing up can be a great effort, and it's twice as difficult if your loved one is struggling with substance abuse issues.

I'm going to let you in on one of life's big secrets: someone you love is going to get old. Very old. And, like becoming a parent or being hit by a train, the experience will change you.