Elijah Cummings Will Be Missed

Elijah Cummings died October 17, 2019

Everyday the media brings people into our homes and lives that we would never have the opportunity to meet in person—politicians, celebrities, news reporters, performers. Sometimes we come to like what they have to say and even feel as if they are part of our lives. Such was the case with Elijah Cummings, whose voice—always firm, steady, and reasoned—was instantly recognizable. I always perked up when I heard his voice on the news, anxious to listen to what he had to say. No matter the issue—and he worked on and fought for many during his more than twenty years in Congress—his focus was on dispelling corruption, dishonesty, and social inequality. He was a man of honor and dignity. He will be missed, and I will miss hearing that voice—that instantly recognizable voice.

Spellbound

I walked down to the hill at dusk today. A freaky warm day after a few weeks of refreshing, cool weather. Even late in the day, the air was warm and heavy, almost oppressive.

Seemingly overnight, greens in the woods have begun to disappear, replaced by yellow, brown, orange, tan, red. Standing at the top of the hill in the low light of the evening, looking down at the expansive fern beds, I was held spellbound. 

As beautiful as the ferns are in the spring—fresh, bright green, elegant—they are stunning in the fall—the color of sweet hay, relaxed, even slouching against one another, proudly showing the wear and tear of the summer season. I stood there until dark. Spellbound.