It’s not unusual for life to present us with a mixed bag. It’s near midnight and I am at Bob’s fiftieth birthday party hosted by Jen and Derek. Jen’s son Sam has a high fever and they’ve just lost a cat, Boone, to mysterious death. In these circumstances they are still hosting this party out of love for our friend Bob.

There is no easy way to say these things – and I’m sorry Beth that you’re hearing about this in this circumstance - Wally died yesterday. I won’t go into the details here, but I will briefly say that Wally was a bar regular of Kirksville who has touched many of the people who read this blog. T.J. didn’t come to the party as a consequence and Craig’s odd behavior now has a context.

It’s a loss that is hanging in the air giving the proceedings something of a somber air.

Wally was a proud man who brought a sincere love into immeasurable lives. I know many people who bar tended in the ville who thought of Wally as a father or grandfather. He was and is family. I’m at a loss.