Heard your sister's voice calling us home

Clarity arrives in the strangest of places.

Yesterday, I watched the UNC game at Wegmans. Yes, most people go to a sports bar; "Mr. Fun" (my kids nickname for me) goes to an upscale grocery store with a cafe. It was just me and a few customers, along with the guy who sweeps the floor.

A commercial came on. I sat staring, not paying attention while thinking about nothing and everything, when I heard a little girl's voice behind me say "daddy, daddy." I could have sworn it was Ruby. I turned around and saw a girl about 4 or 5 in her Sunday finest, who had stopped with her family for lunch after church. This made me smile.

And profoundly sad. Both at the same time.

A full day later, I can still hear that little girl's voice, over and over, calling me to places I'd rather be.