It's probably about time I let the cat out of the bag.

I normally try to refrain from posting anything too personal here, especially if it is not a positive or exciting story related to my work in at least some remote way. But it feels like I should make an exception here, to explain my absence over the past week or so and for the foreseeable future, as well. While I have been quietly dealing with a serious illness in my immediate family for quite some time, it now appears to be the beginning of the end - and not the end that we were hoping for. While we had learned last November that this was eventually going to be the case, things had been going quite well until last week when it became suddenly apparent that things would indeed be drawing to a close. Although there has been a sharp decline, there is no way to know how long this final descent will take... Each day is unpredictable, so we have to just take things as they come and try to all stay comfortable.

Meanwhile, this isn't to say I haven't been able to get any work done. Although a majority of my time has been spent with my family during this difficult time, I have made some brief stops in to the office and have been able to keep on top of many things remotely. I have continued to be hard at work with e-mail, alumni activities, seminars, the CIS Facebook page, job postings, connecting other departments with CIS labs for potential collaborations, website maintenance, intern questions, and other things.

I've mentioned several times before on my blog how I often "take my work with me" and drum up interest in Imaging Science in places where it's least expected. Well, this past week has been no exception: one of the visiting nurses who stopped in asked what I do as a job, and what do you know - she has a son thinking of going to RIT for something engineering-related, but he isn't sure what exactly he wants to do. I gave her my card, and after he checked out our website, he became interested in learning more. So I sent out one of our folders full of goodies, and what do you know - she and her son are scheduled to come in for a visit and to sit in on the freshmen class. It can be crazy sometimes how random circumstances seemingly fall into place.

That's all, for now. One of the pleasant things made apparent by all of this is what amazing friends, family, and co-workers surround me and my family. To all of you, thanks.