Gray and Stormy

It's gray and stormy out today - lots of rain falling and thunder rumbling, but no spectacular displays of lightning. The atmosphere is reflective of the mood around here today. One of our colleagues collapsed in the hall yesterday and, as of this morning, she's still not breathing on her own and had not regained consciousness. I don't know her well, but I am, of course, very concerned for her. Those who have been here longer and have worked with her for years are really on edge - and reasonably so. There's just a pall over the whole department and I'm having a hard time getting anything done. It's such a strange thing when someone else's life is so seriously and gravely on hold and the rest of us have to continue on as if everything is as it was. I'm not good at that. It's all a reminder of just how fragile life is and also another reminder of what good people make up this department. Everyone is so concerned and is doing what they can in the situation.

I don't really have anything interesting or insightful to say about all of this. Just that it really sucks and I don't know what to do.