I'm alive. Thank God!

[MikeW]

Very glad to hear you're alive [MENTION=21000]verysimple[/MENTION]! These kinds of near-death experiences can really affect our view of life and, like you say, give us a new perspective on what's of value.

I don't know what to say about the friends that haven't replied to you. Maybe they don't care as much as you want them to. Maybe they're busy with their own lives. Maybe they haven't seen the texts? (Personally, I don't think texting should be used to try and communicate anything of importance. Make a phone call or an email.)

As for your family, I think your assessment is correct. They lack communication skills and emotional development. I know it is difficult not to obsess about them -- my family was very much like that as well -- we want to have a good relationship with them, to have their love and respect. Unfortunately, some of us don't get the families we want. We have the life-challenge of learning to live with the families we have. That or we have to learn to live without them.

But you're right. All of us tend to get emotionally caught up in things that are of little importance. Keep that thought!