But do any of you feel the need to leave some sort of footprint behind?
Maybe I'm strange, but I don't, really. However, I'm more than a decade older than you, DS, have had a couple of health scares recently, and what I DO find now is that:
"...at my back I always hear
Time's wingèd chariot hurrying near"
I am increasingly aware of the fact that I may not have many years left. Every month, it seems that yet another of my teenage heroes bites the dust and it's rather frightening. For I reflect upon all the things - large and small - that I intended to do in life, but have yet to get around to. And I have to accept the realization that now I probably never will achieve them. And I find THAT extremely depressing.
I tend to mark the time by garbage collections! As I gather things up and wheel the trashcans out, I often reflect on the fact that yet another week in my life has passed by in what seems like mere minutes. I really, really want to stop the clock, so that I can catch up with my dreams of yesteryear.
Although I am proud of some parts of my life, I know that if I'd put my mind to it, I could have achieved many more of the list of things I planned to do in my youth and have added to each year. But I've spent long years putting most of them on hold until later, when Life was less busy and I had more time.
And now, as the years accelerate in their passing, I realize that I have postponed them for too long. And THAT is what I absolutely regret.
One of my schoolfriends was a Catholic. I remember her telling me that one should pray in the morning, in case one died during the day, and again at night, in case one died during the night. I was very struck by this! And if I had my time over again, I think I would try to be far less of a procrastinator and force myself to work on anything I really wanted to achieve in life right now, rather than waiting until I had enough spare time and opportunity to do it really well. Because one day, usually unexpectedly, there will be no more time, or, indeed, opportunity. 
I'm sorry - this is probably not in the least comforting. Apart from the fact that most people here are fortunate enough to have far more years to work on their goals than do I!
But as for that life footprint, DS, can you not see that with SI, you are creating footprints, both professional AND personal, of which Bigfoot himself would be unbelievably envious?!
Professionally, by creating and maintaining the web site itself. And personally, by making vast numbers of people's lives far happier than they'd have been without it. With this place, you're saving many a marriage; making it possible for those damaged by cheating to heal; giving those who are being ill-used to see that and go on to far happier lives; giving those who think there is no hope the strength to go on, or to escape their torment.... the list goes on and on. And don't forget that the aforementioned giant footprint needs space not only for the 40,000 plus members. But for all thee children of members, too! If enabling so many people to be happy isn't a personal achievement, then heaven help lesser mortals like me!
[This message edited by Cally60 at 4:13 PM, August 14th (Wednesday)]
