As some of you may have noticed, I have not done much posting lately. This has partly been due to the fact that I was preparing two events, one of which was a speech on Austrian Economics, to compete at a national speech and debate tournament.

I had to leave the tournament early (yesterday) because my Aunt Mary passed away. While her death was far from out of the blue, I am still shocked and deeply saddened by the loss. She was not only family, but a great friend and remarkable individual in any right.

Mary Cockerill was an incredible person:  Assertive yet a good listener, opinionated but willing to give a fair shake to dissenting views, ladylike in demeanor, but unafraid to enter the professional and intellectual pursuits that -- in her earlier days -- were often considered the exclusive "domain" of men.

Best of all was her sense of humor. Though serious in her outlook and mission in life, Mary was never above setting everything aside for a moment or two to laugh hysterically at all the little things.

I love my Aunt Mary dearly and will miss her always. She was a Catholic, but I'd appreciate prayers or thoughts from any of you on her behalf.