The Lion Sleeps Tonight

I have written recently about the horrible news that has echoed its ugly tale from a once Happy Valley to the rest of the world (see posts from November 2011). But today I am going to simply pay tribute to a man that I have long admired and respected, and how we all came together to say good-bye...

On our way to Beaver Stadium at Penn State to pay our last respects to Joe Paterno ~

the football coach for the Nittany Lions but so much more to the Penn State community.

Just as Mt. Nittany (pictured to the right), is a Penn State legend,

so is Joepa ~ now gone. but never to be forgotten...

Beaver Stadium with Mt. Nittany standing strong in the background.

He walked (okay, paced like a lion!) the sidelines of the football field

(both Beaver Field and then Beaver Stadium) for over 60 years...

A shrine was created at Joe Paterno's statue at Beaver Stadium on

Penn State's University Park campus. The news of his seriously declining health

flamed through social media Saturday night, even at one time erroneously announcing

his death. Then we all woke to the sad news of his passing this Sunday morning.

People honored him as a coach but more as a symbol of what is good within the

Penn State community. Many came to say that he would be

missed, but most just wanted to say, "Thank You."

(detailed photographs can be found in my Flickr photostream or on my Facebook page)

When someone gives so much to a community, there is only so much you can give back.

We all know that Joe would just want us to do good ~ with our families and our communities.

But there was one simple request we all made so that he could see just how much we cared:

Turn on the lights...

And they did. And, oh, how glorious it was! The low clouds reflected the lights of

Beaver Stadium and the aura could be seen from miles around, valley to valley.

There have been so many beautiful sunsets lately, but it was fitting that tonight

we just saw this glow...

Good night, Joepa! In this day and age when good, solid and decent leadership seems to be so elusive, we are proud that we got to know you and learn from you. Thank you. The lessons will not be lost. May you rest in peace...