At 6:10 p.m. (central time) this evening I will be lighting one more candle on my birthday cake. I don’t know if I’ll be able to blow them out (cause of what that implies). Those of you who don’t know the significance of this event, I was told last summer that I probably wouldn’t be lighting any more birthday candles. That’s what makes this birthday a big one. This evening I’ll be 53 years old. While I’m not out of the woods, it feels darn good to be able to say that I’ve made it this far.
Many thanks to my friends here in the pub for your warm wishes. You
have all done more than you can possibly know by letting me talk about
things, and genuinely listening, during some trying times. I know it
sounds trite, but, for that, I am truly grateful. Although many of us
haven’t met face-to-face, I still consider you to be friends just as surely
as if we sat together in the pub across town and shared a pint and a good
story.
There are times when my breathing is easier and my fingers more
obedient, and I recently found a young teacher who is willing to work with
me as long as I still want to learn, so I haven’t given up on the whistle –
much to the dismay of my neighbours, I fear.
I may not be able to come around as often as I once did, perhaps; but
please know that I am keeping each of you in my good thoughts and
wishing you all the best that this life has to offer.
