The World According to Leslie

Yesterday, I couldn’t get my Windows Live Writer to work.  I tried in the morning and last night.   Yesterday, March 12, was a morbid anniversary. On March 12, 1997, my Grandfather died….my mom’s dad.   I was a freshman at Appalachian State University. I was about 2 hours from home, and it was the first time I had ever been away from home that long.    That morning, mom called to wake me up, as usual. I went to all my classes, but I couldn’t get ahold of mom during the day. It was before cell phones were so readily available, and not everyone had one.  So, I would use payphones on campus to call collect. I tried a million times—or so it seems.   As I was getting ready to head out to my concert band class for the night, my phone rang. My dad told me to come downstairs and let him in. When I got downstairs to let him in, I saw our pastor with him. I knew something was wrong because as soon as I saw mom’s face, I could tell she was crying....

Yesterday was the 16th anniversary of my Grandpa's death.  Some days it seems like yesterday.  Other days, it doesn't hurt so badly. I was a freshman at Appalachian State University. I think it was a Tuesday.  I called my parents every day.  Some days, I would call Mom a few times.  That day, I couldn't get anyone to answer.  :(  About 5pm, right before I had concert band practice, I got a phone call.  It was my dad calling from the box downstairs.  I didn't think anything weird about it because Dad has always (almost my entire life) been a truck driver.  So when Dad said he was in the area and wanted to see me, I didn't think it was strange.  (His truck routes took him many places on a daily basis.) When I got downstairs to let them in, I saw my dad and my pastor, Greg Sloop.  I knew something was fishy then.  When I opened the door, I saw Mom.  She was teary-eyed.  Then Dad and Pastor Greg told me about G...