I went home this weekend and helped do something I should have done long ago. Me, along with Mom and Aaron helped clean out my childhood bedroom. We’re having family over for Thansgiving, and we need to remodel the room and just make space. Saturday and Sunday, I attacked my closet and some of the drawers and other things in my room. Many things went to Goodwill, many things were trashed, and a few things were boxed up nicely so I have them forever. I did a great job cleaning up the room (to make room for the redecorating,) but it’s a little sad for two reasons: I junked a part of my past, or sealed it away instead of it being a constant reminder in plain sight … and it means I have less and less at home. Both of these are good things, natural progression of life things, but that doesn’t make them not sad. I’m glad I had my family there to help me.

On Sunday, I found out my dear friend from high school’s mother had passed away this week. She was battling cancer for two years, and finally succumbed. I never saw her when she was sick - only when she was healthy, and full of vigor for life. She was kind, and energetic, and one of those “cool parents” that you can hang with as a teenager and not feel like you’re with a grownup. So, it was very odd for me to see her free spirit at rest at the wake on Sunday. It was great to see Lacy and Melinda again (and Melinda’s son for the first time,) but I am again sad. Goodbyes are hard.

I am thankful that I too have one of those great moms, and was able to share the weekend with her. The evening after the wake we spent making dinner, cursing at the dying deep freeze, and chatting about absolutely nothing was very, very special to me. I love you Mom and I enjoy every minute I get to spend with you.

And then I came into work today and found out Christopher Reeves has died. My first movie theater memories involve going to Superman movies — I used to hide behind the chair in front of me because anything that could paralyze superman like kryptonite was sure to hurt me. Since the superbowl a few years ago, I really wanted to see Christopher Reeves walk again. Science and progress are based on dreams like that, and I sure thought he had the money and support to have his spinal cord rebuilt. I guess the one thing that he didn’t have was time. He was 52.

I was going to post some corny lyrics to Our Lady Peace’s “Superman’s dead” song, but that seems inappropriate. What I did do, and thought was very interesting, was searching for “superman” on iTunes Music Store. The lists of artists that have sung about the man of steel is impressive - from Barbara Streisand to Eminem, and many many groups inbetween. As I write this, I’m listening to an acoustic version of Five for Fighting’s Superman (It’s not Easy).

It’s been a hard year. I’ve seen mothers burying sons, sons and daughters buring mothers, soldiers slain on foreign soils, presidents laid in State, comedians laughter cut short, and Superman killed. I think that’s more than I can handle. I pray we make it through the rest of the year without anymore sadness.