happy new year, happy anniversary to me

In the wee hours we'll be headed out of town to visit an old friend. Not that she's old or anything. Anyway, we're going to help her celebrate a very momentous event. I believe we're going to start with a Thai dinner.

For me, this is a notable coincidence. On November 1, 1994, hobbitt and I had a strange Thai dinner with my mother and her friend of (at that time) 60 years, my "Aunt" Gini. They had driven from New Joy Sea to Illinois to spend some time with us. It had been a wonderful, though difficult visit, as visits with Mom usually were.

The dinner was strange because I had just been diagnosed with cancer a few hours ealier. I remember the entire evening with the utmost clarity but I couldn't tell you a thing about the food. I can tell you that I didn't expect to be around much longer than that. In fact, I tell you this every year right about now. And I enjoy telling it, as I hope to enjoy telling it for a long time to come. And since Pete actually has exactly one Thai restaurant, I can celebrate appropriately if I want to, for Lucky 13 and beyond.

So there it is. Twelve years, a gift, a mystery, a miracle. Just like your lives. Just like every flipping day.

Just like your lives. So many of you lucky folks don't know this. Wake up! Wake up to how unfuckingbelievably fantastic this is! Even when you think it is well and truly biting ass. Oh, man, this is it! This is the show! And It. Is. Amazing. And. Beautiful.

To this whole messy existence! Cheers! Oh, and you newer survivors - come and top that. I know you can do it.