While I am not the type to often fall to solipistic or existential depression, I would like to thank whatever entity is simulating my existence in this highly improbable universe for another holiday with my family. It's been a real hard year, and I'm not.. okay.. okay.. but I feel the hard shell I've been crafting over my skin begin to loosen as I watch two people who are still very in love after 35 years together, and watch my Dad-- who had brain surgery this year-- doing okay.

Things aren't great, but they are okay.. and give me hope that the future will be okay.