Afternoon Baseball

I forgot to comment on the passing of John Paul II. A year ago, I was my college paper's newsroom (Catholic school, btw), and terribly, we were hoping that if he were to die, he would do it on the weekend so we could cover it in our paper.
He did, and his passing was an odd mix of the inevitable, yet tragic. Deeply instructional, too, as he clearly was not a man who feared death, yet conversely fought it as long as he could. It also shows how life, much like death, is merely a series of moments that together chart our progress. He deteriorated physically over a 25-year span, much as he ascended in stature and fame over a lifetime.
A lot to be learned from the guy, even if you're not Catholic or religious. He's a historical, philosophical, political figure of the 20th century. To ignore him is at the peril of your own intellect.
Here's what I had to say last year, as well as noting other reactions and speculations.