Knot In My Stomach

This day is a bittersweet one. The sunshine is gloriously bathing the autumn tree branches outside. As I walk across campus in my ankle socks, the early morning dew rains on my feet with each step. Everyone is attempting to return to their normal routines after a busy pseudo holiday weekend. Actually, I guess the weekend does deserve the title of holiday. With Saturday being Halloween and Daylight Savings Time beginning. Yesterday, was one of my favorite holy days, All Saints Day, even though I didn't make it to church. Yes, it was a holiday. And a fine one at that.

Yet, with all this beauty, darkness always seems to find a crack or a crevice through which to creep. My favorite college instructor died suddenly, tragically, and undeservedly Saturday night. The irony of it is enough to pierce my heart and send me into death's waiting arms myself. Johnny Dollar was doing what anyone would have expected of him. He and his wife, Susan, were driving near Greenbrier when they approached an injured dog on the side of the highway. Johnny pulled the car over and got out to collect the dog and take it to the vet or perhaps simply be with it in its last moments. Then tragedy arrived when a MEMS truck struck Johnny. He was killed with Susan waiting safely in the car. Johnny taught social sciences at Pulaski Technical College. I had the honor of studying in his World Religions class, American Government, and World Civilization. He was an advocate for the oppressed and someone who will not be soon forgotten. RIP Johnny Dollar. We love you.

As it is, though, I am able to reflect on something in this sad moment that I believe Mr. Dollar would have appreciated. The fall is often a sad time for most of us. It represents death and departing of things that only days ago were alive and vibrant. I am choosing to think of this loss as a loss for the living but a return of a most honorable being to the infinite existence of the cosmos. There will be rejoicing there. If you know Mr. Dollar, please comment here in his memory.

Thank you for joining me this morning in my creative outlet. I hope many of you intend to follow my blog for a long time to come. Some days may be lighter than others on the intellect but it is my hope that we can hold hands and journey into our numbered days on this earth together. While bittersweet, today is a beautiful day. I recommend stepping outside into the crisp air, look up to the sky, and rejoice in your existence. Peace be with all of you.

WOW! Just as I thought I was ready to close this entry, I realized something. I believe Mr. Dollar was also an Episcopalian. I too am an Episcopalian. As I said above, yesterday was All Saints Day. For those who don't know, All Saints Day is the Holy Day in which we honor our loved ones who have passed in the year past. How fitting this is that the universe called Mr. Dollar home on the eve of this day!