First of all, my thoughts and prayers go out to commenter and our very good friend Jana on the passing of her mother yesterday. Tracey and I have fond memories of her parents and us gathered around the Christmas tree on Christmas morning enjoying the joys of the season during our time spent in Louisville. To this day I still look over my shoulder on Christmas morning wondering if someone is scheming to put cheese grits on my unsuspecting plate! I didn’t know her mother as well as I got to know her dad (he passed away several years ago), but judging from the character and the quality of the daughter they produced I think together they did all right.

May Jana’s mom rest in the love and peace of Our Lord, and may she feel comforted by all the good thoughts and prayers coming her way from Tracey and me and her numerous cadre of friends.

Secondly, before heading to the airport last night I couldn’t help remembering all those friends and loved ones who I’ve lost over all these years. On a warm, breezy patio under happy pineapple lights I thought about just how good it is to be alive and “in the flesh”. Which in turn got me to thinking about these two awesome Pink Floyd songs which simply demand to heard loud enough to make your pets run for cover and your neighbors consider calling the cops.

Life is so precious. I miss so much those who have passed before me. It makes me feel kind of like an empty vessel, but what can any of us do? You’re on this earth for a very short time. You love the people God brought you together with as long as it’s humanly possible, and once they’re gone you revere their memory. It’s all just happening a little too much for my taste, but that’s life.

In some ways I find I’m getting too old for this sort of thing.

Embrace the present.