Since I’m sure you can check my tumblr from wherever you are…

Today’s your birthday!  You would’ve been 42 this year.  I’m still trying to live a good life full of friends, happy things, and success.  I’ve hit a couple of snags on the way – haven’t we all? – but I keep going.  Things have been really tough lately.  Work has turned into a mess and I’ve been terribly stressed and unhappy.  But I have great friends and a wonderful partner who make sure I keep smiling.

You would’ve loved all of them had you gotten the chance to meet them  :)

Things that have happened so far for me, just to get you up to speed:

1.  We’ve had the house for a year.  It’s fantastic and the geek room just keeps getting bigger (your little sister is still a nerd).  Mom still hasn’t been able to see it due to her knee surgery, but hopefully she can make it for Thanksgiving.

2.  Our shop seems to be doing well.  We’ve gone to more conventions, have taken more orders, and continue to try and make unique things.  We have big plans for next year.

3.  I got to go to E3.  It was an amazing trip.  First time I had ever been to L.A. so it was really fun.  

4.  Got more writing jobs, trying to focus on that a lot more.  It’s still the future I want from myself and according to one of my aunts its always been my dream, so no, that part about me hasn’t changed since you passed away.  Now it’s just a matter of it taking off.  

5.  I’m being serious about the writing thing, I even have an original story that’s 200 pages and still going.  It’s almost done!  Though I have a feeling you’ve been reading over my shoulder this entire time.

6.  A lot of my friends have inspired me to pursue this creative path.  One of my friends has a book agent now, another friend’s husband has just opened his own game shop, just many components that make me want to focus on things like this.

7.  My birthday was in July, lol, but you knew that already.  I’m 29 now, so not quite your little sister, but still younger than you old man  :)

So yeah, that’s it.  Um… yeah, Happy Birthday to you.  All of us miss you terribly.  I’m sad that you’re not here, that you haven’t been able to meet my friends or see the house or hear me gush about things like going to E3 and stuff (which I think you would’ve loved, I imagine that you may have been a gamer nerd, too, maybe?  Or into anime or something like me.  I remember us watching cartoons all the time so your geekiness may have been inevitable).  I just… miss you.  But I know you’re somewhere watching, making comments, maybe even boasting about your awesome baby sister (but you shouldn’t, I’m not THAT awesome, you’re just biased).

Take care.

Love,

Me  :)