A death in the family

The past five days have all run together. My best friends who are like family to me, lost their grown daughter. They still don't have the word on cause of death.

My friends are still in shock and anger. They have been able to count on friends surrounding them and helping them with the details. It hasn't all really sunk in. K had two small children they will be raising, and they've had a lot to keep them preoccupied.

I was fond of K, and haven't even wrapped my own mind around the fact she's dead.

After making the funeral arrangements, her father said nobody should have to do that for his own child. He's right.

Tomorrow, or rather later today, is the funeral. I'm supposed to do a Bible reading and speak, which I'm happy I can do.

Keep my friends and their family in your prayers. The hardest part is just beginning.

God who comforts those who mourn in Zion,
comfort this mourning family.
You know the despair of losing a beloved child;
Help them heal. Hold this family close
and shelter them under your wing.
Give them your peace.
In the name of your son, our savior
Jesus Christ, Amen.

Here I am, Lord

Here I am, awake since 4 o'clock this morning, thinking, praying.

Last night was a milestone. I have been talking to Father R about vocation. Last night, he brought it up to the vestry. Their response was largely enthusiastic.

Many seemed to be expecting it. Or at least expecting something -- a discussion about either the diaconate or the priesthood. I've been hearing priesthood. This has been going on for a good five years. Now, I've been hearing 'NOW.' So, the discussions with Father R and going public.

Now, the tough stuff starts, that whole discernment process. Whether the diocese and a parish discernment committee will hear the same call for me remains to be seen.

It's in God's hands. All I can do is be obedient, and pray for the right outcome. I will go wherever God wants me. Or stay.

Keep me in your prayers.

Bizarro news: Justice, or at least the eyewitness, is blind

The e-mail came in with the subject line "WRONGFULLY INCARCERATED, RECENTLY EXONERATED BREVARD RESIDENT WILLIAM DILLON SPEAKS TO THE PUBLIC SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2009"

Then, one reads in the text of the e-mail:

The state's case against Dillon was based largely on the testimony of an admitted perjurer who had a sexual liaison with the case's lead investigator during the investigation, a fraudulent dog scent expert, a partially blind eyewitness and an individual whose own charges in a rape case were dropped in exchange for his testimony, which included numerous details at odds with known facts in the case.

Poor Mr. Dillon, who served 27 years for murder.

How bad was this guy's lawyer, I wonder? Or what WAS the deal in Brevard County, Florida? It took examination of DNA evidence to get him off?

How does one become a fraudulent dog-scent expert? What about a one-eyed eyewitness?

Acchhh. So many questions.