The plan was to rise early Friday, drive to Little Rock and then join a group of old friends at the bedside of Jim Bailey.
Harry King, Wadie Moore, James Thompson and Donna Lampkin Stephens have been there regularly over the last four or five years. I've met them several times.
Instead, that same group will be in a larger gathering at the visitation Friday night. Jim, our mentor and great friend, passed away Wednesday night at age 86.
I'm sure the same rich stories will be told again. They will be about the old days at the Arkansas Gazette on the staff of Orville Henry, the late sports editor and my father.