Valar Morghulis in General

Valar Morghulis

Weird banging, clanging going on in my head.

19 years ago I was studying for the one-two punch of my NATOPS open and closed book exams. Sitting in the study of my house on Penn Cove in Oak Harbor Washington, I was aware as the full moon rose over my shoulder as I went over the thousand possible questions.

All hell broke loose, and it was weeks before I took the exams.

Three months ago I had open heart surgery, the most extensive and invasive medical procedure I hope I will ever endure. I am largely recovered, but have an persistent ache running down my sternum that seems to be exasperated by rapid changes in barometric pressure.

Saturday is one year since Sandy killed herself. I still don’t know where to put that. Me and my boxes.

I still do the “I gotta remember to tell Sandy about…”

Only to remember she is dust and memories. I miss you my friend. I wish I had known how bad you were hurting.

Valar Morghulis, Game of Thrones, High Valerian, “All Men Must Die.” Loosely based on the Roman phrase “Memento Mori.” Supposedly coined when successful Roman generals marched back into Rome to the cheers of the populace, he had a slave marching behind him to remind him he was only human.