A favorite.

Pop White died this week. 88 years young. I don't think he really liked getting older. Especially when they told him he simply must cut back on salt intake. Goodness, the stories.. He left behind 10 children (two sets of twins!), 41 grandchildren (maybe some more twins?), 63 great-grandchildren (more twins??), and even a great-great grand-kiddo here.

What a legacy. I can hardly imagine having that many descendants while I'm still alive. Certainly would not be able to keep track of all those names and ages. Because really it's more like double those numbers. Because that doesn't include his 3 brothers' and 3 sisters' families, or all those spouses that had a hand in making all those little ones make their way into the world.

What I can see for certain, though, is this outlook, printed in his service folder:

My life is not
a journey to the grave
with the intention of arriving safely
in a pretty and
well-preserved body.

But rather,
I will skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up,
totally worn out,
and loudly proclaiming...

Wow! What a ride!


...and they finally opened the gates !