Today at around 11:15 a.m. I got off of the T bus and walked down Airport Road toward my home. As I looked up, I noticed a firetruck with its lights on, but no sirens. Its driver was wiping tears from his face. The truck was followed by a police car, similarly lit, and another firetruck from a different department. Following these was an ambulance draped in black cloth. All in all, the processional of these silent emergency vehicles stretched for about a mile as it progressed. A silent tribute to a former servant, now gone, I supposed. The line included ambulances, police cruisers, and at least one fire truck from every nearby station. I stood by the side of the road and watched until all of the trucks had passed. I sat down to read my Daily Tar Heel when I arrived home, and discovered that indeed, Nick Waters, Orange County's director of emergency management, had passed away after a brief battle with cancer. I'd never heard of the man before, but for a moment this morning, I stood in awe of this display of reverence and respect held by a community of public servants for one of their own.

Today's Weather: 83 and sunny. And full of pollen.
Song going through my head: more of the high-tempo, aerobic beat music we play at Curves.  ¶ 5:20 PM