Passage of Time

Not so much 40 as now nearly 41.
When did age become so important,
and the date of my birth call forth such intensity?

Today I mourned the death of a man whose phone calls I avoided.
Yet his absence has torn a hole too large to fill.

Twice I’ve called out to his spirit.
In the car, alone, where no one can hear.
"Are you ok?" I’ve asked, to no reply.

I told his daughters he was ornery and they smiled.
I meant that he was abrupt and arrogant.
Or maybe he just knew what he wanted.

Either way he is gone.
"A stinker," his wife said. "Such a stinker."

Not so much alive now, as merely dead and done.
Why did age become so important,
and the date of his death call forth such mourning?

Pushed ...

"The walls came down, it was a fucking disaster."

I said I was sorry.
I am not.

Leaving...

Linda is leaving. Moving to Oklahoma City. Soon. Like, by the end of April. And my life as I know it will be forever changed.

Linda works with me and is my number one reason for getting through the day. Every day. Truly, she has saved my butt on so many occasions. She is the yin to my yang. She remembers where I forget, is calm where I am anxious, and quick when I am slow. She received flowers last week, again, from one of the customers we work together to take care of. Our customers love her. And I love her. And how I will ever replace her, I just don't know.

I've been awfully lucky to have had the opportunity to work with her these last 2 1/2 years. She's set the bar incredibly high for anyone who dares follow in her footsteps.

I'll miss you Linda.