All Hallows Eve: My friend Richard

He was my best friend-brother in Nashville, a constant in my life when it was filled with challenges, travel, and disruption galore. We could always talk about gardening or what was going on in the 'hood, or on darker days, our respective lives, and our histories, brought. It was a quick 5-minute walk to his house.

Richard fed all of us. If you needed a biscuit, he had one, Saturday mornings about 930. And Sunday was another breakfast event. And if he texted or messaged me to come down? If I was here, I went. Said yes all but one time. He was the hub of a rich and vibrant community of which I was a part. I felt included. Loved. Cared for. Shared with.

Richard entertained all of us. The screened-in porch with the big TV. The dining room table. Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, and yes, NPR. The swing in the back. The pool on the side. We were, those of us in his tribe, welcome there. We had a place where we belonged.

His birthday would have been October 31. He’s a haint now, dying in mid-September. I’m wondering if we’ll see signs of him this All Hallows Eve! I’m sure he’s getting (or maybe giving) flying lessons.

Love well. Love deeply. Love intensely. If you must wear a mask, let it be the mask of love.