11 Years and 11 Days Before Now

Some people ascribe special meaning to these days, referring to them as “life days,” but I often have to be reminded of the date everything changed.

John photographed with his sister inside the Rose Bowl at the College Football National Championship game in Pasadena, California, January 6, 2014.

As I begin to write this, it’s the bottom of the second inning here in St. Louis on the last day of the baseball season. I’ve just missed a lead off double hit by our outfielder, Richie Palacios. The Cardinals won’t be going to the postseason this year, after what has been the club’s worst campaign since 1995, but I digress — that’s not what I’m here to write about.

Earlier today, a guy named Chris approached me in downtown St. Louis. I was momentarily stopped on the sidewalk, typing out an email on my smartphone, when he said hello. I didn’t have anywhere to be, exactly, but had been meandering in the direction of my hotel. I refuse to ignore a hello, but I may not always be able to engage fully — on this day, I could, so I chose to do so.