The Sun Also Sets

Yesterday evening, when I was heading down towards the new barn to give Claire and Honey, who were waiting patiently for me, their last meal of the day

my peripheral vision caught a sparkling sunset just meeting the foothills to my west.

Another second and it was gone. Just a moment of reflection.

And I remembered in that moment, just how lucky I am to have had the life I lead.

Truth is, there’s nothing really special about my life or me. I grew up in an extended, multigenerational family, in a great neighborhood in the Bronx, with amazing friends. I had a lot of fun, and despite my best efforts at fucking off, I mean I really worked at it, I managed to become educated without becoming refined. That edge and education led to four decades of employment in an exciting niche in a respected profession that became more important to me for the really interesting people I have met and the relationships I have forged along the way than any of the successes in Court. But there were enough successes to keep me in the game. I have been very lucky.

I married a beautiful, intelligent and patient woman who saw past my bullshit. She made me return to and finish my education. She gave me really wonderful children who gave me really wonderful grandchildren. All the while this crazy woman pursued her own profession, pretty much raised our family and still kept me on the straight and narrow. That last accomplishment was probably her most challenging. I am a blessing and a curse.

You see, like my father before me, I have always been a dreamer. I can be in a room interacting with people – on autopilot – and my mind will be a million miles away. Walter Mitty. Visiting Neverland. My wife always knows when this happens. Most of the time the others don’t. I have always had a great autopilot. Stayed on track. But Lisa always knew when to take the wheel out of my grasp. Take the lead.

Did I mention that I naturally bridle at responsibility?

So, in those few seconds when I got to gaze at that beautiful sunset yesterday evening, here at Casa Claire, I remembered that with all the bullshit that we all deal with in all of our lives, the wins and the losses, the laughter and the tears, the fire and the rain, the dreams and the reality, this life really isn’t a contest. As Claire has often told me, it’s a journey. Each one of us on our own. One step after the other. And I was lucky enough to see the end of one more day in mine.

And for that I am truly grateful.

Well, as Hem said, the Sun also Rises.

Thursday is making its presence known. Another day in my journey (and if you are reading this, yours as well). So let’s all be grateful.

I’m going to go out and cuddle a couple of kitties, and make my rounds.

Feed Claire and Honey, again and again and again. Shovel some shit with a scooper and not the keyboard. Maybe both.

Terrorize my grans.

Probably do some daydreaming.

I will brilliantly handle anything that comes across my work desk. Second sight, second nature.

You fine, five readers finish your java and head into work. Wrap it all up in a nice bow and then slip it in that top drawer, to be presented to the powers that be first thing Friday morning, before you sneak away for the weekend.

But, no matter what else we get up to, let us make today a great one.