Earl

Some years back, our friend Earl had his 80th birthday celebration. On that evening, under a tent with a bit of fog and rain, white folding chairs and all else, a bunch of us, his neighbors and friends, presented him with a "Star". I was fortunate enough to do the presentation, a star chart, the celestial points so you could find the thing...up there, northwest about 20 degrees up from where we were. We all looked for it then...his friends, family…and it was lost in the maze. Now he has found his place there.... just up there. 

Hail-fellow, well met - an old saying and a bit arcane, refers to someone who strives to make friends; heartily friendly and congenial. I'm sure, like all mortals, he had his moments. I would hope so as Lux - light - Aeterna - eternal – the eternal flame flickers now and then but it never goes out. It flickers but it never goes out.

It never goes out.

It will be a clear night tonight and we will see that star - the one named after him - Earl, just plain Earl. It doesn't seem enough yet on so many occasions it was more than enough and tonight, the evening of the second full day after he traveled there, some of us will gather outside and see him...that star... that one that will shine a bit brighter tonight and for the rest of time...He'll be there and looking back at us. Smiling.

Hail-Fellow Well Met.