—WE CAN WATCH THE SNOW FALL, FOREVER AND EVER 

 

 

…“Even this small injury; an act of love.” Happy, Celina Baljeet Basra

 

…This could be your best Christmas yet. Have you ever thought of that?

 

…It’s not always something huge, damaging or threatening like most people think. Most of the time, it’s all of those little forgivenesses along the way.

 

…As far as anecdotes go, the latest was baffling.

 

…But there are thoughts we don’t get to have.

 

…I guess it all depends upon your definition of what soon is. 

 

…So, you think just being myself will do the trick?

 

…It’s okay to show that something really matters to you. It’s okay to cry or get angry, maybe swear or punch a pillow. The alternative is kind of lonely, if not also kind of cowardly.

 

…I’m told that people who say, “Leave me alone,” usually mean the opposite. But how do you know for sure?

 

…If you know where your happiness comes from, it helps ground you when you’re not.

 

…I just assumed being kind was the general idea.

 

…You shouldn’t say it if you don’t mean it, and you sure as hell had better not put it in print.

 

…Sometimes the answer is, “I don’t know,” and if it’s an honest answer, that should be enough.

 

…Everyday there’s something shocking, and I’m not using hyperbole or being melodramatic. 

When people say there’s nothing they can do about it, well, that’s mostly true. When people say they’ve become numb and so it no longer bothers them, that seems like a cop out. 

You can still care. You can still share that you care.

You can’t just turn your head and look the other way while the world’s being lit on fire. You can’t just say, “My life really didn’t change at all last time.”

It’s about more than that.

Caring might not be a lot, but it’s still something. It’s not nothing.

 

…Okay, excitable boy, deep breath here. Quick pivot there…

 

…Sometimes it boils down to the relevance of words, and how you gauge the collective idea of them.

 

…The end isn’t the same as what’s most important. 

 

…Everything has to turn out somehow, right? Just look at us.

 

…Ghosts are terrible dance partners, but some of the best listeners you’ll ever find.

 

…There’s only so much cleverness a person can take before they run right out the back door, hinges swinging.

 

…Most of my fears are hypothetical, or at least I think so.

 

…Miracles can happen. In the most unlikely places, they can.

 

…Sometimes it’s hard to describe something when you’re too close to it. Even while wearing readers. 

 

…Have you ever met someone without strong opinions? Me neither. Well, except for Lucy.

 

…We all have something that reminds us.

 

…A while back, I read a quote from Elton that went: “Whenever I’m flying over the Alps, I’ll look out the window at all the snow on the mountains and I’ll think—that looks like all the cocaine I’ve done in my life.”

Sometimes when I’m (me) staring at the lake during sunset, the surface will take on this beautiful scarlet glow and I’ll think—that looks like half the cabernet I’ve drank in my life.

 

…How hard is it to remember?

 

…As a matter of fact, I could use a drink right now.

 

…When you’re really good at something you should just do it, because otherwise it’s a waste not to. 

 

…--“Why are you thinking so much?” 

    --“Great question, real Hall of Fame stuff. I’ll get back to you soon.”

 

…I, for my part, am never sure what will come out of my mouth, or pen.

 

…Have I told you lately that I hate the word “sure?” “Sure” is like a re-made “Yes” with really bad plastic surgery.

 

…Why do I need a reason to heal?

 

…As usual, my room is trying to teach me something.

 

…One of the interesting things about demons is they never relax, or take the day off.

 

…Kindness makes it harder to bear. Anger I can deal with.

 

…People say they’re ordinary, but it always turns out that they’re wrong.

 

…“The best stories are the ones you almost can’t believe because they’re so true, the truth that surpasses plausibility.” Charles Baxter

 

…The ego needs limits, and boundaries. Just ask mine.

 

…Sure, there are a lot of things to apologize for. Don’t think I haven’t thought of that.

 

…Hold onto that natural exuberance of yours. It’ll come in handy.

 

…I try to locate myself, but the map just keeps buffering.

 

…The guy at the tire place suggested I go grab breakfast because it was going to be a few hours. When I said I’d stay and wait and that I had a book to read, he looked at me like I had leprosy.

 

…The woman at the tire place read me the worksheet like it was a jury verdict. At the end she said, “And your front brakes are a 4.4m and the back are at 5m.” When I asked, “What does that mean?” she repeated what she’d just said and so I did the same. Then she got flustered and said, “It means your brakes are on their way out.” I said, quite sincerely, if not also ignorantly, “What does that mean? What should I do?” She said, “Listen for a squeaking sound.” So, I asked again, “What does that mean?” and she said “It means your brakes have stopped working.” And I’m thinking, like, if I’m on I-fucking-5, and there’s a squeak and I’m going 60mph I’ll HAVE NO BRAKES? Instead of taking it further, unconfrontational me just said, “Thanks,” and left, wondering when and where I’ll be when I hear that first or last squeak.

 

…Is it all just luck, whether your life is blessed or blighted? 

 

…“Not to be rude, but” is usually an escape route for the person speaking, who’s about to say something rude and hurtful to you. 

 

…If you take anything seriously, make it your compassion.

 

…Sometimes I can see how frustrated the crows in my backyard get. You might know the feeling.

 

…People who cry openly during a movie are people I typically respect and admire above all others. 

 

…Like most things, you don’t really think about luck and the privilege of health until it goes awry.

 

…When all the choices are unacceptable, a guy still has to choose.

 

…“Kissing and crying: these two activities are inevitably linked. Those who kiss, cry.” Happy, Celina Baljeet Basra 

 

…More good fortune! My publisher sent me $1.93 in royalties yesterday.

 

…Maybe it always comes down to small reasons, incremental turns, conversations you almost didn’t have, or heard only part of.

 

…I trust you more than I trust myself.

 

…Do you have a minute?

 

…Call me when you get there.

 

…I like you already.