January 3, 2018 - Thursday

22 degrees/cloudy/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I'm sad this morning, really sad. A phone call last night, along with several texts, informed me that a good friend of the family passed away yesterday morning. 

Louise was a band mom from my high school teaching days in northern Maine. Her husband, Kurt, was the perennial band booster president and combined, they were integral cogs ensuring our marching band toured all around the eastern seaboard. 

I used to tease Louise by singing in my loudest voice, ala Frank Sinatra, "CUZZ LOU LOU'S BACK IN TOWN!"

She'd laugh, blush a bit, then tell me to stop. 

The family was more than school acquaintances, they were friends. Matt, their oldest, went out of his way to guide my oldest son, Josh, when we first arrived in the remote French Acadian community many years ago. Jenny and Nina were in the band from day one and both were sweethearts. I was able to confide in Kurt and share worries and even some personal family problems. At the head of this all American clan was Louise, strong, stable, and usually full of smiles.

One of the reasons I left public school education many years ago was that I grew tired of burying my students. The final straw was attending the funeral of young girl that I'd known from infancy, a freshman in high school, who died in a needless car accident. I lasted a year or two beyond her death, but it was the beginning of a personal downward spiral that I couldn't escape. 

Teaching should be about life, not death. It was the only time in my life I ever questioned the existence of God. Thankfully, He came to my rescue and reminded me that we just rent these bodies while we're here and our real home is with Him.

So, as time marches on, with increasing regularity, many of my friends and acquaintances are being called Home. It's called life and life is good. Some days are just better than others.

I'm sad today and that's as it should be. I know the day will come when I'll catch up to Louise and Natalie and Dad and all my relatives, students, friends, and acquaintances who've gone before. I'm looking forward to seeing them again.

Though Louise is no longer in our town, there's little doubt that someone, somewhere, is filling in for me, singing, ala Frank Sinatra, "CUZZ, LOU LOU'S BACK IN TOWN!" They'll have to do until I get there.

Rest in peace Louise. We'll see you one of these days...