well, it's over. the first year (since your birth, anyway) that the earth was without you. some things happened that would make you laugh. and i missed you at those times... someone stole your car. 10 months after you died. so ironic, too - the charity "kars 4 kids" was scheduled to pick it up two days later. oh well. the fledgling tree you planted made it through the winter - and is really coming along. you'd be proud. i had dinner with one of your most prized friends (i can see why you loved her). she remembers you, with much more detail than you would expect. trust me, you have some very special people who still talk about you (mostly with affection - hee haw)...and they haven't seen you in 30+ years. they shared so many wonderful stories, pictures, poems, and gentle words to comfort me. what a gift. rylee is doing so well. i bought a set of dvds by this guy, cesar millan, "the dog whisperer." we've been working together and he is no longer afraid of storm drains or manhole covers. he and i run several times a week. he's actually lost about 10 lbs. sorry, but he no longer gets hot dogs and cheddar cheese. he still wears the collar you bought him and will always be grateful to you for rescuing him. best of all, he still does that thing where he smiles in his sleep... i am loving life. the first few months without you were agony, but i've really pushed through (as i know you'd want me to) and found happy days again. in fact, in the wake of loss, i think i've become more joyful than ever; i appreciate every day & every moment i have with the people i love. thanks for that. i'm thinking of you, friend of friends. remembering your many laughs. winks to heaven, bub. love, sam.