Sherod was watching the Alabama FAU game and dozing a bit when our first out-of-town friends arrived. He was totally surprised to see them. About 30 minutes later, our second pair of friends arrived, and then later in the afternoon, the third. In the evening a bunch of childhood and early adulthood friends of Sherod’s joined us too. It was pretty glorious, reconnecting, laughing till our sides hurt. There were a few moments of introspection and more serious conversation during the weekend, but thank God, not many.  Our last company headed out early this morning—and the four of us laughed till moment the door closed behind them.