Thanks, Dave (nothing could ever be this good again)

Frickin' Foo Fighters, playing frickin' Everlong, one of the most beautiful, powerful songs possible to accompany the final rapid-fire clips of David Letterman's show before he signed off for good. I still haven't completely shaken the emotion of it. You should have to put a disclaimer before something like that. And it fit so well (of course, Everlong always seems to fit any mood and situation):

If everything could ever feel this real forever
If anything could ever be this good again
The only thing I'll ever ask of you
You gotta promise not to stop when I say when

But Wednesday night, Letterman did stop. He signed off for the final time to begin retirement. As much as I hate to see him go, I think he did the right thing at the right time for himself.

At 68, Dave cited a desire to spend more time with family as reason to pack it in. With an 11-year-old son, Harry, I think he chose the perfect time. These are the final childhood years for Harry, and that time will slip away fast. Not to mention Dave knows all too well from having heart surgery 15 years ago that health or life can be snuffed out in an instant. He's still in fighting form, but he's aware that could turn on a dime (Dave has joked more than once about passing away and Harry being raised by a step-father). Those jokes are wryly funny, but also reveal the issue weighs on his mind. He wants to spend any good years he as left (may they be many) focusing on his son.

Dave was always a bit edgier, cooler, quicker, slicker, "realer" than his competition. These last few months when the end was in sight, he loosened up and has been more enjoyable to watch than ever -- ironically making it all the sadder to see him go. But I want to be sad to see him go. Good thing, because I am. Thanks, Dave, for everything.