Y'know, the night before I heard the news, I had this dream. I was at a museum with pictures representing every well-known person who had passed away. I saw legendary people: creators of cartoons, famous actors and actresses...the list went on and on through the halls. And while I was there, I saw Jim Henson. Now, usually, I'd be in a state of elation and disbelief to see the creator of the Muppets; but this time, he was in such a mood that I was scared to approach him. He was looking at all the names on the walls, reading them with grief so bitter and yet so tender at the same time. "Oh, I remember him," he was saying. "The greatest cartoonist I ever knew. But they're all long gone now." He seemed to be on the verge of tears, angry that these people he loved had to go but so, so sad as well.
I don't know if any of you believe that God sometimes foreshadows reality with dreams like that, but I think He might have been preparing me for the news.
Jerry Nelson has been my favorite Muppeteer ever since I became a huge Muppet fan. He was so kind, so loving, so talented, and so real. God bless him and his family.