The last night of my first half-century
Tomorrow (that is, Tuesday) at 3 PM, I will be 50 years old. Tonight and until then, I'm still 49. Seems like one ought to step back and take stock on such an evening.
In those 50 years I have:
--Been the daughter of two very special parents whom I couldn't love more even in, or perhaps especially because of, their absence
--Been the sister of a truly awesome younger brother of whom I couldn't be more proud and whom I'll love forever
--Become sister-in-law to a smart, funny, and generous woman, and aunt to her lovely daughter
--Survived being orphaned
--Lived with and loved four fabulous cats
--Paid for my own college education
--Kept my brother and I in our parents' house until we were ready to leave
--Created not one but two successful careers
--Worked for some of the coolest companies in the country
--Worked with some of the most gifted writers in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror business
--Learned from some of the most knowledgeable (and in one case truly historic) publishing types on the planet
--Published several short stories and poems (I know that in the rarified circles in which I am privileged to travel this is not a big deal, but out in the larger world, it's still a major accomplishment, and I continue to be astonished that I've published anything at all)
--Acquired and created a really nice home for myself
--Traveled to the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Asia
--Accumulated and loved the most remarkable circle of friends and associates that anyone could possibly ask for--yes, that means you.
I have been enormously privileged and I remind myself of this fact often, over and over again. Even when things have been at their worst, I know that life has bestowed upon me a kind of wealth that you can't earn at any job or purchase for any amount of money.
I am relatively healthy for a woman of my age and I intend to do whatever I can to stay that way. Having already lived longer than my father, I plan to live longer than my mother as well. I have far too much to live for, and far too much to do before I'm done.
In those 50 years I have:
--Been the daughter of two very special parents whom I couldn't love more even in, or perhaps especially because of, their absence
--Been the sister of a truly awesome younger brother of whom I couldn't be more proud and whom I'll love forever
--Become sister-in-law to a smart, funny, and generous woman, and aunt to her lovely daughter
--Survived being orphaned
--Lived with and loved four fabulous cats
--Paid for my own college education
--Kept my brother and I in our parents' house until we were ready to leave
--Created not one but two successful careers
--Worked for some of the coolest companies in the country
--Worked with some of the most gifted writers in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror business
--Learned from some of the most knowledgeable (and in one case truly historic) publishing types on the planet
--Published several short stories and poems (I know that in the rarified circles in which I am privileged to travel this is not a big deal, but out in the larger world, it's still a major accomplishment, and I continue to be astonished that I've published anything at all)
--Acquired and created a really nice home for myself
--Traveled to the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Asia
--Accumulated and loved the most remarkable circle of friends and associates that anyone could possibly ask for--yes, that means you.
I have been enormously privileged and I remind myself of this fact often, over and over again. Even when things have been at their worst, I know that life has bestowed upon me a kind of wealth that you can't earn at any job or purchase for any amount of money.
I am relatively healthy for a woman of my age and I intend to do whatever I can to stay that way. Having already lived longer than my father, I plan to live longer than my mother as well. I have far too much to live for, and far too much to do before I'm done.