She smelled like skunk, red dirt, old shoes, weathered leather, wild onions, wet leaves, molded straw and the dark side of the barn, where the sun never shines and last week’s rain puddles.
While the N.C. State players and fans celebrate one of their program’s biggest wins in years, the Duke Blue Devils are left to regroup after their first loss of the season. The Wolfpack claimed an 84-76 victory Saturday at PNC Arena in Duke’s first test without 6-10 senior Ryan Kelly in the lineup.
It was routine. His son is tucked beneath a blanket, a quilt and a sheet. Darkness and only the faint glow of a nightlight provides a source for shadows.
He is young and old, all at once. He has outlasted tools, even though his calloused hands are scarred.
They were born six minutes apart. It rained that day and their mother said the raindrops were tears of joy from the forever above. He wanted a boy and she wanted a girl and they were both grateful to name boy and girl and even more thankful they were healthy.
The horrific shootings this past Friday are a reminder of how innocent and precious life is.
Some look at photographs, some visit familiar places and some read letters from the past.