Another Charlie Brown Moment.

2 A.M.

Can’t sleep. Find myself stepping up to the plate once again. Mortality takes the mound and fires away:

Your Aunt Bosky has cancer. You’re overweight, so you’re at risk, too. Your father had a stroke at your age. You’re afraid of dying. You don’t really believe life continues after death, do you? If nothing remains, does anything matter?

One after another, hour after hour, right over the plate. Hey batter batter swa-wing!

Strike! Strike! Strike!

I should be hitting ‘em out of the park by now. I should have Death’s number. But after all these seasons, I’m still a rookie. Every pitch sizzles by. Sure, I tip one or two with a weak prayer or philosophical chestnut.

But truth is, I don’t got what it takes. My faith can’t stand up to this stuff. I’m minor league all the way.

At least, that’s how it feels at... now it's 3 A.M.

Need to figure Death out. If not for me, then for Chip. Sooner or later, he’s going to ask about Aunt Bosky, about death, about life after death, about What It All Means.

His storehouses of Google-knowledge are going to burst and he’ll finally turn to his dad for a little rock of wisdom. I need something to give him. Something to put into the palm of his hand. Something he can hold on to.

4 A.M.

Keep watching for dawn on the curtains, as if I’m not even sure the sun’s coming up. Another good ol’ Charlie Brown dark night of the soul.

Sigh.

Comments

Media Jean: If not for his blog, I’d never know your dad was having such a rough time. When I see him face to face, he seems like his old cheerful self.

Chip: Yeah. Since he types his journal on a manual typewriter, I think he forgets everything gets posted online.

Media Jean: When are you going to ask him about Aunt Bosky?

Chip: Well, I was going to ask him tomorrow, but…

Media Jean: Yeah.

Chip: I was thinking, maybe we can help him.

Media Jean: What do you mean?

Chip: Maybe we can figure out what Death is all about. Solve the problem, then let him in on it. He’s taken care of me all these years. Maybe it’s my turn to take care of him.

Media Jean: I’m in! Let’s do it.

Chip: You think we can really figure out this whole Death business?

Media Jean: How hard can it be?

Chip: When should we start?

Media Jean: Right now! I’ll come over.

Chip: How long do you think it’ll take? Haven’t philosophers been working on this problem for a while?

Media Jean: Yeah, grown-up philosophers. Give me a break. I’m on my way, and I’m bringing a fresh bag of kettle corn.

Chip: Fresh kettle corn! I got a 4-pack of Izzie soda. Sparkling Pomegranate, I think.

Media Jean: Mom gave me some Fair Trade Chocolate.

Chip: I can slap together a couple of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Media Jean: Great! We’ll tackle ol’ Death for a while, then have a feast!

Chip: I rented Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium online. We can stream it while we eat.

Media Jean: A movie and a feast? What a great night! Death doesn’t stand a chance!

Chip: See you in a few.

Media Jean: On my way!

​Comic strip from the series "The Fortress of Childhood"
(Kid, Inc. Volume 2: The Batcave of Childhood)

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