What an evening.

We dropped the kids off at my mom's house shortly before 7 pm, thinking we'd be back in thirty minutes.

It took us forty-five minutes just to get to the front door of the funeral home. Another thirty minutes got us around to talk to the family. It was close to 9 o'clock by the time we got home from my mom's.

Naturally, the whole thing was sad. It's one thing when an 89-year-old grandma dies of lung cancer after a lengthy illness...there's almost a sense of relief at the visitation and people throw around phrases like "she's in a better place." However, what do you say to a family who's lost a 37-year-old son/brother/father of two small children in a horribly tragic car accident?

A "I'm so sorry for your loss" seems somewhat plastic and superfluous. Yet, it was about the best we could offer.

The family was just superimpressive, though. They thanked everyone for coming and seemed to take comfort in the number of people that thought highly enough of their son/brother/husband to give their last goodbyes.

This is my little bit of life advice for you all. Live your life, so that the line of people at your visitation stretches out the door, to the street, and beyond.

Well. A sad post today.

Two things have happened around here recently that really have just about taken my breath away and made me realize I live a pretty blessed life.

First, one of Kirby's good friends is named Belle. Belle's mom got a job this year teaching Special Ed. at the elementary school. It's been a rough time for her, with adjusting to the kids, and her mentor is not the most welcoming either. They've also just moved into a new house about two weeks ago. Earlier this last winter, she and her husband were having troubles, and had separated, but are now back together.

Anyway, I've talked with the mom a bit, trying to reassure her things will work out, etc. Also, our kids are good friends, having sleepovers, etc. However, both of our sons are on the same flag football team, and the mom has not been there this week at all. When I asked Belle where her mom was, she said, "she's in the hospital, because she just started crying." I don't know what that means, I just know I haven't seen the mom at football practice all week.

Brent and I were talking about it last night, and I expressed how lucky we've been in just about everything we've done. Everything HAS worked out well for us, and that's why I was so quick to offer Belle's mom that same advice. Of course, I can offer that advice so flippantly because it's worked for me.

Second, I got a call this morning from one of my colleagues that a middle school English teacher had been killed in a car crash last night. This man was one of the nicest, most outgoing guys around, and has two little ones (2nd and kindy). I'd actually just spent all day yesterday with him, working on Lang. Arts curriculum. I'd actually just been in the middle of an email to him this morning when I got the call. This was the guy I'd bumped into at the grocery store last Friday morning, where he and his kids were doing their "Friday morning ritual", buying donuts to eat on the drive to the bus stop.

And now. Gone. Like that.

Hug your kids. Let the people you love know you do. They could be gone tomorrow.

This is one of my favorite months ever! When I was growing up, I never really knew why, but for some reason, the changing season, the cooler air, brilliant foliage, and just that undescribable descent in winter and dormancy seemed to set my heart and spirit in motion.

Of course, I know now my embracing of fall was just the germination of my pagan roots.

The last week and a half has been excellent, weather-wise. Cool mornings, warm afternoon, cool evenings. Sunny and blue skies. Gentle breeze lifts the leaves up and down, and some flutter to the earth.

It's the season of orange, woodsmoke, cut grass, pumpkins, and rain.

And while autumn is definitely a visual and olfactory feast, it's also that time of year where I feel motivated to reflect on "things on the inside"...being indoor house projects or things on the inside of me.

I feel like this month is the deep breath before we are all plunged into the crazy chaos that is the winter holidays.

Oh yes, I also get paid today. Whooohooo!