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Kyle, my 19-year-old son, was sitting on the edge of his bed when he announced, “Ah-ha! I found my marbles.”

Unable to resist, I turned and looked, “I didn’t know you had lost your marbles.”

Without missing a beat he held up his hand, displaying the little glass globes and responded, “Ha-ha – I meant these marbles, smart ass!”

Kyle knows me too well.

It was a history making day for me – and anyone else who vote in Nevada’s Congressional District 2’s special election. History making because Nevada had never held a special election for a congressional seat since it was accepted into the Union, until now.

I waited to vote on election day, instead of voting early as many did, at my local precinct — Shaw Middle School on Eagle Canyon.

The seat opened up after Dean Heller was appointed to the U.S. Senate to fill-out the term of John Ensign who resigned amid a series of scandals.  Heller had been the CD-2 House Representative since first being elected in 2006.

There were jus’ four candidates in this election: Kate Marshall, Democrat and the current state treasurer; Mark Amodei, Republican; Timothy Fasano, Independent American Party; and Helmuth Lehmann, Moderate Independent.

Regardless of the winner, I’m using the event to point out – we all participate in history. We should record these things for our families and the future.

I also take voting seriously and I hope you do too.

Happily, the four hardest days of September for me have come and passed. But they’ll return next year.

At one point, September 8th was a fun date. It was the day my step-dad, Del Middleton, was born in 1938. However he passed away September 9th, 1997.

To make things harder is the fact that Mom was born in 1940 on September 10th. It became hard to celebrate her birth after Del’s death and I hate to even think of it now that she’s been gone since 2002.

Then of course there’s September 11th — the anniversary date of the worst terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. It’s still hard to mourn the day without holding one’s breath waiting for another attack.

But then again — it could be worse — I have a friend and co-worker whose birthday is September 11. Talk about a real party-pooper.

As the nation mourns the loss that occurred a decade ago this date — I’ll head home from my post at the radio station and mourn my own personal loss. You see, today a friend is to be buried in services to be held in private.

I wasn’t invited — but that’s okay.

Instead I’ll go out into my backyard, pull up a chair and drink an ice-tea (or maybe something stronger) to my friend. I’ll say a small prayer for her soul, thanking God for letting me know her friendship and I’ll shed a few tears along the way.

In my head I keep saying, “Your smile, your silly grin, your laughter and your friendship will be sorely missed. And I’ll never look at another cupcake in the same way.”

I’ll see you on the other side of the hill,  Miranda.

The world grew smaller some how as I slept the day away, resting for my overnight shift at the radio station. I didn’t find this out until I got up to get ready for work.

My bride told me she received a telephone call from her sister, Sarah, who lives in Ramona, California. The two ended up talking about the shootings that happened in Carson City at the local IHOP.

That’s when Sarah informed my bride that she knows the brother-in-law of Florrie Donovan-Gunderson. Her next-door neighbor is the brother of Wally Gunderson, Florrie’s husband, who was also shot in the attack.

I understand from various media reports, Wally is continuing to recover.

Evidently Sarah spent part of her day with her neighbor, Randy, as people dropped by his home to offer their condolences. Sarah and her husband have known Randy for over six years.

I couldn’t make this stuff up — even if I tried!

Meanwhile,  the Nevada Army Guard has announced Major Heath Kelly, who was gunned down while eating breakfast, has been elevated to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.  On the day of the shooting, another soldier shot and killed, Sgt 1st Class Christian Riege was promoted to Master Sergeant.

Spanish Springs 2011 — Since returning from Afghanistan in April 2010, Christian Riege had settled into his full-time position with the Joint Forces Unit of the Nevada Army National Guard in Carson City. The Nebraska native was one of four people killed when a gunman opened fire at a IHOP in the same city.

After a deployment to Fort Irwin, California in 2004, Christian, 38, thought about voluntarily deploying to Iraq. But at the last-minute decided his four children needed him more at home.

He had already spent 19 years in the military, including two years with the Navy. While Christian was described by friends and fellow Guard members as quiet, he also had a big smile and someone, who while training for combat, could do 2,000 push ups in one day.

Christian was promoted to master sergeant effective September 6, the day the shooting occurred. His body has been flown back to Nebraska at the family’s request.

A note attached to a stuffed bear was left for Christian from his fiancée at a memorial in the parking lot where the unprovoked attack took place reads: “I’m grateful everyday that you are the one who has the key to my heart.”

Got up early yesterday morning so I could take some pictures of the 30th Annual Great Reno Balloon Races. I have often wished there was a way the races could be held later in the day — I’m so not the early morning guy I used to be.

Afterwards, I had an eye-appointment. After more than three-years between visits, I paid over $120 to learn what I already knew — I need new glasses.

Fortunately I went and played photographer before the exam, since  Doctor Tom dilated my eyes. I couldn’t see much of anything once I got outside the building  and into the sunshine.

My friend Kay, told me my pupils were so “blown” I could have been a model for a Precious Moments figurine. But instead of applying for the modeling gig — I went to bed in order to get enough sleep for my midnight shift at the radio station.

Spanish Springs 2011 — Major Heath Kelly, 35, survived the battlegrounds of Iraq – but was one of four killed in the Carson City IHOP by a man on rampage who then took his own life in the parking lot. The highly decorated Nevada Army Guard soldier was married and had two young children.

Between 2004 and 2005, he was in Iraq on active duty with the U.S. Army. While there he served as a border enforcement officer, battalion fire support officer and a 1st Cavalry Division lieutenant.

He then joined the Nevada Guard, becoming Commander of the Joint Force Headquarters in Carson City in August 2010. Heath earned numerous decorations including the Global War on Terrorism Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Kuwait Defense Service Medal and Iraq Campaign medal.

The Louisiana native leaves behind his wife, Tracie, four-year-old daughter Cassidy and a nine week old son, Triston.  Heath’s family said those who want to honor him can help by supporting the troops through the non-profit, “Soldiers’ Angels.”

Heath’s grandmother Janet Scaruffi adds, “For this kind of pain — there’s no medicine.”

Eleven people were shot during the rampage at a Carson City IHOP when a gunman sprayed bullets around the parking lot and at neighboring businesses. Five people were killed in the attack including U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Miranda McElhiney, 31.

She and fellow Nevada Army Guardsmen were taking part in an off-site meeting, having breakfast when the killer walked to the back of the restaurant and started targeting the soldiers. Miranda initially survived the assault.

She was airlifted to Renown Medical Center in Reno, where she later died of her wounds.  On Facebook, Nevada Office of Inspector General investigator Paul Hinen wrote that a first responder shared with him what happened while he attended to Miranda following the shooting.

“When they went to load her onto Care Flight, in the midst of the chaos, she looked at the trooper and gave him a thumbs up!” Hinen wrote, “That was just Miranda’s character; ever reassuring and calming to others in her final hours.”

Her death has had a rippling effect throughout the Nevada National guard community, including those no longer serving. Washoe County School District trustee Scott Kelley tells KOLO-TV he first met Miranda when he was assigned to the Stead Armory.

“Miranda was a wonderful person,” Kelley says, “She shouldn’t be remembered as one of the victims in this tragedy — she should be remembered for all the wonderful things she did in this life.”

She was a student at Columbia Southern University, an online university based in Alabama, seeking a master’s degree in organizational leadership. Miranda held several positions while serving the last 13 years in the National Guard including medical, dental and human resources.

Kelley adds, “She’ll be missed.”

Spanish Springs 2011 – As the community of Carson City attempts to come to grips with the multiple shooting deaths at a local IHOP, authorities are still searching for a motive in the homicide case.  So far investigators have had little luck in learning why the gunman open fired on the group of Nevada Army Guard as they ate breakfast.

What is even less clear to police is the shooting death of 67-year-old Florence Donovan Gunderson. Her husband, Wally Gunderson, a retired Marine, who recently underwent back surgery, was also shot in the attack and is expected to survive.

The Associated Press reports Florence, who went by the name Florrie, was active in the Republican Party and prior to retiring she worked in the credit department of Harrah’s Lake Tahoe casino for 10 years. She also liked to cook, bake and knit.

Wally was a security guard at the casino until 1998. He has multiple sclerosis, uses a wheelchair and service-dog and depended on Florrie to get around.

It’s believed the couple was at the IHOP to have breakfast before Wally’s dentist appointment in Carson. So far there has been no word on funeral arrangements.