Death, Demons, Ghosts, and Autumn

On Sunday, my nephew, Joe, died. He had not been well, but I don't know all the details. The obit in the Tucson Citzen reads "STEAVENSON, Joe Kevin, passed away at St. Joseph's Hospital, Tucson, AZ on October 19, 2008. He was born on October 8, 1965 in TX. to Joyce Blackburn and C.B. Steavenson. He is survived by the love of his life, Cindy Bartley, and her children, Christy and Davey; his mother, Joyce of Sapulpa, OK, and brother, Trent, of Kyle, TX. He was preceded in death by his father, C.B. Steavenson and brother, Russell."

All of us that carry the blood of my father carry the taint of demons. Some of us manage these beasts better than others. Joe, I fear, was more consumed by his. Some of our demons age with us and, like us, get old and tired, diminishing in their threats. Others seem to be ever present and just as haunting as when they first appeared. I hope that Joe's diminished as he aged. I also hope that in death that he found peace.

I do know that Joe has joined my pantheon of ghosts. They kept me awake last night. (Oddly, my mother doesn't join them. She comes by herself.) These four, now five, seem to be having a great time and tend to all talk at once. They will get quieter as the week goes on.

Autumn has fully arrived in Wisconsin. Gary and I drove around this weekend and took some pictures that I will post later in the week. The colors are outstanding this year. The weather has cooled slowly, allowing the trees to put on a brilliant display.