Monday - No Ticket to Ride

Autumn has finally descended on the Texas Gulf coast, with a bit more kick then the tepid cool fronts we have had previous to this. It was the first time I have had to turn on the heater in my car this season.

The Grim Reaper was working the Ferris Wheel and did not notice me today. His cigarette was just a stump with a glowing red ember in the corner of his mouth. It looked about ready for him to crush it out and light a new one. He smokes them unfiltered.

He would.

I have noticed that he does not take tickets, or even have a box to hold tickets. I think I know why.

Grief is the price of love. Whenever you let your guard down and allow yourself to love, you are accepting the risk that eventually one of you will have to grieve the other. We are selfish; we hope to be the one to walk out or die first, and leave the other person to pay our tab. We all want something for nothing. We get the idea that we have every right to love all we want and to never have to grieve, to pay for the ride we have enjoyed.

I'm not better than anyone else in this regard, just a little more aware than some people.