There must be something about the first few weeks of November and my karma. I've had both good and bad experiences in the weeks before Thanksgiving, but most of them leave a bitter taste in my mouth.
Bad Karma
November 18, 1988 - Grandma Fox dies.
I was the youngest of 11 grandchildren and spoiled rotten. Grandma suffered a stroke one week before her death during my freshman year at FHSU and my life changed forever. We talked on the phone quite a bit and she was quite a lady.
November 13, 2005 - Dee Friesen dies.
Dee was a true friend. We met in college and had a great friendship. She kept me going during grad school and was a great person to spend an evening with. As the stars would have it, my future wife-to-be worked with her aunt in Dodge City.
November 18, 2006 - Chris Orr critically injured in Lawrence, Kansas
Chris is an old friend. Now, he (and I) aren't old, we've just known each other for quite a long time - since the late 80's-early 90's when we met each other in the student publication labs at Fort Hays State University. Chris was a wild man then and still knows how to have a good time. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time when the Cat Tracker bus went under an overpass in Lawrence. Chris and another rider struck the overpass. Chris has life-threatening head injuries and we hope pray that he survives.
Good Karma
November 20, 1968 - Dana is born
My wife Dana was born in November, so it can't be that bad of a month. She is the love of my life and comforted me during my crying jag on Saturday when I got the news about Chris. She was also there last year when my friend Dee died. She's been by my side since our first date in December of 1997 - nine years ago and I know she'll be there to comfort me when other bad things in life happen.
