While driving to work today ...

I got up this morning needing a tomato! Just wanting a tomato so much that it became more than just a "want" - it became a "need"! So I stopped at the Farmers Market, and headed for Bill's booth. Do I know Bill? Not really. He is a vendor at the Farmer's Market, always friendly, always smiling. Always so very kind. Bill never fails to remember my name or my son's - and often greets Jona with the words "so how's my favorite young man today, Jonathon?". Bill's booth always has the BEST tomatoes, so of course that's where I was headed.

Bill is gone. His booth sat empty. Well, empty except for the bouquet of flowers placed in the middle with a handwritten note that says "We regret to inform you that Bill passed on Sunday, Sept.24 This booth will remain empty for the remainder of the season, in memory of Bill."

I didn't get a tomato. I don't know why. Many other vendors at the market have tomatoes. But it just wouldn't have been the same.

Every day I drive past a large funeral home - the funeral home, uh - yeah, that one -where my husband and daughter - umm, you know. Today the hearse was out front, 2 limo's lined up behind, all bearing orange flags, ready for today's procession.

I don't know if this was for Bill. I don't know if there is a Mrs. Bill, her heart shattered. I do know that I cried the rest of the way to work today. I cried for my own losses, I cried for Jona's losses, and I cried knowing the pain of all families who have lost a loved one. And I cried for Bill.