Back in the days when we scrimped by on student loans, Erin gave this to me as a birthday present. She made the paper herself, from pulp, and hand stitched the words from my favorite passage in literature (Gimli’s speech upon parting from Galadriel in The Fellowship of The Ring). If there is one object in the world that best represents how lucky I am, it is this gift. I visit it often, and when I do, I reflect on “the danger of light and joy”. And how little kindnesses are the biggest ones. And how teenage Mike had no idea how much awesomeness was in store for him. I have so, so much to be thankful for, but most of all Erin. Alas for Michael son of James! He is truly blessed beyond measure. And so today – which is not a holiday, anniversary or otherwise a day of any significance whatsoever – I thank her simply for being her.
