REFER TO GREY: Contemplations by Robert Greigos © 2007-2024

We played "Hail to the Chief" as he disembarked from the shining airplane. With trepidation and honor I shook his hand, soft, warm, firm, gently reassuring, quick and purposeful.

People are remembered more strongly for what they do than what they say. A reporter once wrote that it was not uncommon for Lyndon Baines Johnson to saunter over to the commode during a meeting, drop his trousers, and sit down to take a crap while continuing the conversation through the open door. The reporter's conclusion was that it helped LBJ keep the conversation down to earth.

Lady Bird, his wife, is remembered by her chauffeur for her frequent requests to stop along the road so she could disembark and enjoy the wildflowers.

They were both right. Too easily, it seems, we lose connection to what a gift it is to be alive.