The Dark Valley and the Empty Chair

The title of this post is the title of a presentation I have given several times to school groups, with stories about some of the people who are buried in the Nashville City Cemetery, which is one of my favorite historic sites in Nashville, and I love giving this presentation.  I use the "hook" of "ghost stories", which seems to get the kids' interest, but then I tell mostly true stories about the people who are buried there (and elsewhere, since Andrew Jackson makes an appearance in the stories about William Carroll, Jesse Benton, and Charles Dickinson).

Today was the first time this school year that I have given this particular presentation.   I wasn't concerned talking about death, burials, cemeteries.  I was more concerned that I was going to John Early, Mitchell's middle school.  I had a little breakdown in the parking lot -- it was the first time I had made that drive, pulled up to that building, and as I walked up, I could just see him talking to his friends, Marcus, Noah, Jonathan, Isabel, Amina, Adrian, Nick, Beck....     Thanks to my friend Becky, she let me have a good cry in the office, and told me I could do it.

I did.  And I enjoyed it.  We had an exceptionally good group of 5th grade students, who were interested, took notes, asked pertinent questions, went off on tangents, and seemed genuinely excited to learn more.  These are the good things --the things he enjoyed, that we enjoyed together -- visiting historic sites, talking about the fun stories to be found in the past.  Becky was right -- this is one way to honor him.  I don't think I did especially well, but the kids were into it, and helped me get more into it.  And Becky stayed right beside me the whole time.

On a different note, other friends who are in our club are marking a sad anniversary today.  I remember how I felt when I learned their son left us to go to heaven.  I have watched them in church on Sunday mornings, and wondered how they did it -- how they displayed such strength and grace, and marveled at how they display their faith.  I still don't know how they do it, but I guess I am learning.  One foot in front of the other, mainly because that is the only thing any of us can do.  So please, in your thoughts and prayers today, remember Sam and his family.  Surround them with peace and love as you continue to surround us.  I have a feeling maybe Sam and Mitchell are talking Predators hockey.