Valentine's Day just seems irrelevant

“Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.”
~James Dean

Valentines is a hallmark holiday in my mind. It is definitely not one of the majors (Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter), and not like birthdays and anniversaries. I have begrudging participated over the years and continue to do so. I get the cards and little gifts. I have done the flower thing and bought the pretty jewelery. I say that because I am not above participating in the forced "date night." This year is a little different.

In our little town of Kirkwood, we have had a recent event that has made all of this seem quite irrelevant. About a 1/2 mile from my house sits the City Hall where I voted the Missouri primaries. Two days later, a disgruntled man stepped into that same building and shot 2 policeman, 2 city council members, 1 public works person, and the mayor. They were all killed except for the mayor. He lies in a hospital ICU in critical condition. This small suburb of St. Louis, a quiet, family oriented town, is in shock.

Tonight, as I drive home with my hallmark cards and box of chocolates, I pass children placing luminaries in the front of their houses. The streets are filled with these candle lit bags. A tribute to the fallen. Families walk the streets to observe the community's tribute. My eyes well up, and I realize that the chocolates and cards probably mean less to my family than just having my presence at home. I am sure the members of our city government said something I have said to my family many times, "I'll be right back."

To my Kirkwood family, I grieve with you.

To the families our mayor, city officials, and policy officers, I pray for you.

To my family and friends, I love you.

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

~Lao Tzu

Goodbye my friend ....

“Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day. Do it! I say. Whatever you want to do, do it now! There are only so many tomorrows.”

~Pope Paul VI

Sometimes, the days feel long; but in reality, life is short. We complain every day about meaningless things that, in the end, lead to nothing. How will I leave this world? Will I leave the world a better place or will I be just another complainer?

Death of friends and family changes you. It makes you reflect on your life. What legacy do I want to leave? What will be said in my eulogy? How will my children remember me? When it is time to go, I hope I am ready. I hope I do not feel as if I have left unfinished business or work to be done.

Have a safe trip my friend. We will not forget you. Please continue to watch over the babies in death as you did in life. You will be missed.

dying is fine)but Death

?o
baby
i

wouldn't like

Death if Death
were
good:for

when(instead of stopping to think)you

begin to feel of it,dying
's miraculous
why?be

cause dying is

perfectly natural;perfectly
putting
it mildly lively(but

Death

is strictly
scientific
& artificial &

evil & legal)

we thank thee
god
almighty for dying
(forgive us,o life!the sin of Death

E.E. Cummings

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
~Mahatma Gandhi