For Rod (RodS) and Jo... Last year Rod announced (on this date) that it was his 47th Anniversary with Jo. So THIS year---after all he and Jo have been through---I wanted to do something for their 48th Anniversary! That's an amazing amount of time, Rod: You have much to celebrate! (The art, btw, is supposed to be 2 souls coming together in the last frame: They're abstract because my drawing's not up to par yet; but I hope abstract is better 'cause a 48th Anniversary is about spirit...) A true story... Years back, I was hospitalized, and my roommate was in his 60s. His wife visited him every day. (They'd been married 40 years.) When alone, he was loud. But when she came, they leaned into each other, held each others' hands, and spoke in whispers. They did this for hours. And boy, you could tell that they'd lived a life together: They practically read each others' faces...they had that second-sense with each other that people get after a lifetime: They were whispering, totally attuned, and basking in each other's presence. And I mean just that---presence. That's all they needed. A lifetime must've taught them that the whole world was there when they were together. It was very moving. One day, a young minister visited them. She told me later that she was "brand new" to this, and found it extremely difficult. "I'm supposed to find the 'sacred' in everyone: But I'm still green, and it's very hard..." I said: "Ok. I'm no expert, god knows, but next time you come, come to me first, and act like we're talking...then turn around and watch them quietly: What you see will be sacred: I promise. It won't matter that you can't 'hear' them: Just seeing them will do it. You'll know what to do then..." I never met Jo; but from knowing Rod here, I know how devoted he is, and how passionate and loving he is to all of us: He must be many more times that with his wife---esp as she just had pneumonia, which had to be traumatic for both of them. So I want to wish you both the greatest love, compassion and joy, Rod, and that you remain ramparts to each other through all of time, and with all the best health you can get. You have something rare and precious despite all the ups and downs life has dished out of late, and I'm privileged to have witnessed a tiny piece of that through your presence. Happy Anniversary, friend, and may your kindness come back to you both, with tons of healing and the best fortune from here on out. Blessings to both of you! mark (please zoom, it's large) ------------------