My fabulous family,
Thank you all for honoring me on this day. Simon, I loved the message you left on the machine. It was good to hear your strong voice, and it made me feel that the day now was complete and perfect.
Bop spoiled me with this poem which he printed in such a way that at first, he was showing me an article in a magazine. . . it was so slick, and the photo and poem reflected each other. As if that weren’t enough, he took me and the Jee and Bebs to Yosaku for a memorable lunch. When I called to see if they were open for lunch, the guy who answered the phone recognized my voice and he said, “Oh, I know you. You like uni and ika . . .” He is a young Thai guy who used to be a waiter but is now the manager! When he showed me in, he instructed the chef to break open a new box of uni so that it would be fresh, and sweet and fresh it was!!! I had 2 orders of it plus ika plus tempura shrimp and veggies.
Jee also spoiled me with an electric tooth brush and some whitening tooth paste, on top of some organic chocolate bars and a sweater and a candle from Acorn Hill. I told her not to spend money on me . . . Bop gave a check to Jee for mother’s day to enjoy a few treats she deserves.
The world is suffering, so even when I am being pampered by good food, good company and good friends, I feel a lot of sadness and sympathy for the sorrow that humanity is enduring. Not only did Burma just suffer a vast tragedy, but today in Sichuan, an earthquake has killed over 8,500 people and 900 students were found dead under the school buildings. So, prayers go out to them, and to the tragedies here in the U.S. too, and to Iraq and Pakistan ,etc. etc.
Seeing Tree and Justin and the Erry did my heart such good. All three looked absolutely healthy and stunning, and the new screen showed such clarity that bebs was looking at them with new curiosity.
I thank each and every one of you for filling my life with purpose and encouragement and pride. Deep within me, I feel many civilizations working through me, so I have renewed interest in history and in philosophy, and in world culture and in the arts. . . we’re all somehow connected and related but also divided by ignorance, by prejudice and by arrogance, but we can be united by compassion and in peace.
In praise of world peace and tolerance and compassion, and celebrating diversity, truth and integrity, I send you all love and gratitude. Love you!
