WhoamI?Andhow,Iwonder,willthisstoryend?

    ThesunhaseupandIamsittingbyawindowthatisfoggywiththebreathofalife...goneby.Imasightthism:twoshirts,heavypants,ascarfedtwiynedtuckedintoathicksweaterknittedbymydaughterthirtybirthdaysago.Thethermostatinmyroomissetashighasitwillgo,andasmallerspaceheatersitsdirectlybehiclidgroansandspewshotairlikeafairy-taledragon,andstillmybodyshiverswithacoldthatwillnevergoaway,acoldthathasbeeyyearsinthemaking.

    Eightyyears,Ithinksometimes,aemyotanyage,itstillamazesmethatIhaventbeenwarmsinceGeeBushresident.

    Iwohisishowitisforeveryonemyage.

    Mylife?Itisoexplain.Ithasherip-rspectacularIfawouldbe,butherhaveIburrowedaroundwiththegophers(smallburrowingrodent(nativetotheNorthAmeriprairies).Isupposeithasmostresembledablue-chipstock:fairlystable,moreupsthandowns,andgraduallytrendingupwardovertime.Agoodbuy,aluckybuy,andIvelearhatnoteveryonesaythisabouthislife.Butdonotbemisled.Iamnothingspecial;ofthisIamsure.Iamaanwithonthoughts,andIveledaoherearenomosdedicatedtomeandmynamewillsoonbefotten,butIvelovedahallmyheartandsoul,andtome,thishasalwaysbeenenough.

    Theromanticswouldcallthisalovestory,theicswouldcallitatragedy.Inmyminditsalittlebitofboth,andnomatterhowyouchoosetoviewitintheend,itdoesnotgethefactthatitinvolvesagreatdealofmylifeahIvechosentofollow.Ihavenoplaintsaboutmypathandtheplacesithastakenme;enoughplaintstofillacircustentaboutotherthings,maybe,butthepathIvechosenhasalwaysbeentherightone,andIwouldnthavehaditanyotherway.