Mortality Day

[dampscribbler]

March Ninth is always a day of remembrance for me.  Twenty-six years ago on this day one of the best friends I've ever had left this world, far far too young.  He was an amazing presence, an artist, a non-conformist, an explorer, and a really fun person to be around. He not only tolerated my teen angst but helped me bear it, while experiencing spiritual confoundedness of his own. The time that we spent as friends left a permanent imprint on my life, which I'm deeply profoundly grateful for, and while sometimes it's overlooked because it's been there so long, when Spring comes and the redwing blackbirds trill in the trees I can't help but remember my old friend, and also to some extent feel even now that pang of loss. 

And today my husband got word that a cousin of his is in a coma.

And today my mother tells me that her neighbor has leukemia.

As the Beatles said, "Tomorrow never knows."