For every person who missed X by X seniority numbers, there are many more for whom it made no difference. Decide what's important to you and do that. I've attended amazing family events that I'll remember forever, but also took a Mesa class on eight days notice to be as senior as possible. I missed Thanksgiving last year, but have a number of days off around both Christmas and Thanksgiving this year due to my seniority. Was it worth it? I don't know. Apparently I missed one for the record books last year.

Not sure if I subscribe to the "you suck if your life doesn't suck so suck it up" attitude, but consider the implications.