Adventures in Lemur-land: The good and the bad

Zoology and research are really interesting and rewarding job choices, who doesn't want to play with animals all day? I feel extremely lucky to be on this island and part of both fields. The unfortunate part is that animals get sick, injured, rejected, lost, and sometimes die.
Yesterday we had our first day of really good data collection. The lemurs were active for a decent portion of the afternoon and were jump fighting (which is play for them) in the cutest way possible. Yesterday we found out that one baby lemur, Dillinger, had died through the night. Following that news, I received an email informing me that one of my friends has died of cancer at 25. So this puts me in a bittersweet place: is it right to push aside the hurt and try to enjoy the island and the lemurs while my family and friends suit up in black and mourn?

I think I'll take advice from the lemurs on this one: an infant dies, they sleep for awhile, then get up and enjoy the day. I just had a good sleep, and where as I feel terribly for my friend, moreover his family, there isn't anything I can do to change the situation, so why not participate in a jump fight and enjoy the sunshine while we're all still alive? I think that's a good thing!

Rest in peace, Dillinger!