Living and Dying

I live in a small town.  I like to tell people that I'm from the middle of Cornfield County, Ohio.  Since I was ten years old I've lived in the country or in small towns.  I've worked cornfields detasseling corn and even walked what is known as the "Green Mile" in the back forty of this town.  

It's not exclusive to this small town that everybody knows everybody, as well as everybody's business.  Most folks are neighborly and still like to share a bit of their lives when you pass them in the neighborhood.

That's how it was with Jim and Sally.  They lived across the street from us for more than a decade.  They came to our annual winter party and were great fun.  Jim was just the sweetest old soul; kind, even meek, I'd say.  Sally was full of sass and vinegar.  She was the first woman police officer in this town and she loved to tell stories about the old days.  Sally was so full of life that I could not believe she was in her 80's; she was a tall and robust blonde.  

Jim and Sally's house went up for sale today.  He passed away last year and Sally passed away earlier this summer.  We don't know their family but we did see some folks coming and going, packing up boxes, and carting them away.  

It got me to thinking about all the things I keep.  Thankfully I'm not a collector of trinkets; I'm probably more a collector of people.  I wish I'd been able to say goodbye to Miss Sally, maybe say a prayer with her. It's good to remember to "love thy neighbor".