Now that November 11th has come and gone and memories of past wars and fallen sons and daughters have occupied many peoples' minds, I want to testify to a few things. First, my family and friends deserve way more recognition and gratitude than I could ever give through my sarcastic meanderings and caustic quips. Quite frankly, I will never be accused of being a archetype of emotional accessibility.
I think and rethink way too much. I try to put people at ease with humor. I find it far too effortless to be cynical and far too difficult to be complimentary. I'm probably far more distant than my friends would like and far less obliging than society would.
I turned 40 yesterday.
And while I often have trouble saying it, and shirk from expressing it, and recoil from the occasional compliments, praise and confirmations, I am contrite. After days of well-wishers, and marvelling at the planning, and awestruck at the care and commitment, I remain in wonder.
I feel luckier than I ever have for my family that, while stretched across a continent, remains as close as can be. I am thankful for a group of friends that took time and effort to make a day, I would have chosen to downplay, a remarkable and enduring memory.
So, if my strength be words instead of voice, for all the times I've never said it, and for all the times I act too cool to care, thank you all for being part of my life.
p.s. I hate the iPhone. There, that should get all of the regular lovehate readers back on track. No more sentimentality for another 40 years.