Silver and Gold

Waiting at the airport yesterday I browsed the British Esquire magazine's list of things not to do after you're 30, which, in addition to sage advice like avoid doing it on a futon and/or with the receptionist, included the recommendation to not make new friends. It's too much effort, the magazine advised.

Having surpassed that wondrous age by 3 1/2 years I must respectfully disagree with Esquire's assessment. Since I hit 30 I have become good friends with a bunch of new people, and there are a few more friendships in the early stages that I expect to only get better. These friends have accepted me and encouraged me and become my family when my immediate family is hundreds of miles and a well-protected border away. They've let me be me, and loved me for it. That's been especially valuable this year, when the me I've been has often felt so unlike the me I'm used to being (did you follow that?).

So, thanks guys. I think you know who you are. I love you tons and what could have been a crap year turned out pretty well because of y'all.