Ars Memorandi Mori

Of all circumstances that can present mundane disappointment, waiting for the train in dismal weather has a distinct way of defining the general mood of the day. Just as rain can soak to the bone, so can a late locomotive weave its way into our mind, running its smoke and steel squeals of annoyance directly to the ruinations of an amicable disposition. Each minute that passes is another moment of preoccupied misery. Vain attempts to ignore the downpour that has ruined your favorite tie are only bested by futile efforts to hope that the train will arrive soon. It could as well be a law of the universe: "A train will only arrive when its passengers are thoroughly saturated, their time is irreversibly wasted, and their spirits are utterly expunged." Woe to the man who must wait in the rain for a train.

But this is exactly where Leonard found himself, on the dreariest day of April, waiting at the only train stop he knew that was without a roof. Most men would have had a bit more foresight, and retrieved an umbrella to stave off the showers, but excitement and jubilation has a way of distracting a person from sensible reasoning. Besides, simple rain would not have squelched the joy that Leonard felt when he awoke. His morning routine was transformed with a frantic energy as he bustled and charged from room to room. His clothes were set out the night before. His breakfast was quick and portable. His paper was ignored. His shower was momentary and had set a personal record. Most of his morning was spent grooming meticulously. His personal appearance was of the utmost importance, this day more than any other. Today, Leonard was getting married.

Leonard was not one to jump into things lightly, especially when it came to romantic relationships with the opposite sex. He found the company of a significant companion too restrictive and unpredictable. While certainly, emotional connection and feelings of passion were important aspects of human existence, these things must be maintained, reserved, and controlled. "Unbridled love," as it were, became the downfall of many great men, and served more to incapacitate the actions of a person than to free them. At least, this is what Leonard once believed, before he had met Lecia.

Continued Later