First, happy birthday wishes for Hil. I hope that you are feeling better and that your campus is calm. May this day and the year to come be filled with blessings.
"Not having something horrible happen to you doesn't mean you don't have to deal with your own stuff. It's OK if things are difficult for you, even if others have it worse. Their worse blows don't lessen your own's"
So much this. Someone always has it worse, and having compassion for their pain doesn't eliminate yours. Someone always has more joy, celebrate them while embracing your own joy.
Went to Miami Beach yesterday to see a friend visiting from Vegas. She is going on a big 50th Hip-Hop cruise. Tons of celebs. The entire huge ship is chartered for the event. Driving through Miami and Miami Beach is no fun, but I had a couple of Cuban coffees and then we went to her hotel room where she gave us a fashion show of all the outfits she brought. She brought 2 bags and was still overweight and had to pay another $100. I think she had 6 pairs of shoes. She cracks me up. We have been friends for decades but she is my polar opposite. The bottom line, it was worth the drive and the absurd parking fees.