Follow up from last week:

The last time I saw Dr. Wallace was when my little sister was 3 months old.  My mom made an appointment and, on a cold icy January evening, I drove mom and Jody to Dr. Wallace’s office.  Now I think most doctors would be a little embarrassed about a seriously incorrect diagnosis but Dr. Wallace was unflappable.  Even after my mother told him, tongue in cheek, that she had lost the weight that he had recommended he was imperturbable.  We drove home in the family ’72 Dodge Dart and as we came slowly, because of the snow and ice, down a long hill I made a right turn to merge onto a wide access road to the highway.  The car turned right but then it just kept turning right. No matter which way I turned the wheel it just kept slowly spinning clockwise.  After a full 360 we found ourselves going in the desired direction of travel at the proper speed.  I looked over at mom, who had baby Jody in her arms, it was before the age of child safety seats, and all she said was, “That was interesting”.  The rest of the drive was uneventful.  I suppose, after having 5 kids ages 0-20, there wasn’t much that could rattle my mom!

Something short this week.

Today we mourn the passing of a truly wonderful, caring, compassionate, unpretentious cornerstone of the community.  Sally Haas passed away suddenly, unexpectedly last Thursday.  She was the President of the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce and a huge supporter of the military and, more specifically, the 911th Airlift Wing.  She had spearheaded more than one successful effort to ensure the 911th remained and, as a women of extreme integrity, was tirelessly shining a brilliant light of truth on the bureaucratic dishonesty of the pentagon.  I think the greatest tribute we could make to her would be to pick up where she left off and fulfill her dream of keeping the 911th as a integral part of this vibrant community.

May angels carry you swiftly on silent wings to a better place.  You are loved and will be missed.

Life is short and unpredictable.  Live and love, well and often, and savor every moment.

Hovering over send with tears on my keyboard.

Daryl