In my travels and life during the year, I have been blessed to be supported, befriended, and on occasion visited by some pretty awesome folks. Sometimes I visited them. (Hopefully they were equally blessed!) I wanted to take some extra space to recognize and celebrate these people at the end of the year. I hope you gain some insight and appreciation for what these people mean to me this year and beyond.
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| Ari and I. Image by Ari's daughter, Giuletta |
I've said it on these pages before, and it bears repeating - Ari is a HUGE Trans Iowa fan and supported me with words and deeds that many people have no idea about. I think about these things and to me, the most important part of Ari's and my relationship is how Ari is there to pick me up when I need it. And this comes from a place of need for Ari, not out of an abundance of cheer. Ari has given to me when he hasn't had a reason to. He could be selfish and stick to his own life, but he chooses to be a giver, and I think this is what I most respect and cherish about him. More people should be like Ari.
It was a gesture like the one he made this past Spring that reminded me of how thoughtful and kind Ari is. He was able to attend the memorial service for our mutual friend, Wally Kilburg, who died in April. Of course, no one would blame Ari for feeling his own feels and grieving a lost friend. But he thought of me and sent me a memorial card handed out at the service because he knew what Wally meant to me and to all those who had ridden in Trans Iowa. I often look at this image of Wally on my desk from that card and think about him, of course, but it also reminds me of Ari and his faithful kindness.
And then we were able to spend most of a day together this past August, which was a highlight of 2024 for me. This would be my last trip of the year. I was really glad I had the opportunity to go to Chicago and see Ari. It had been far too long.
There is hope that in 2025 we will be seeing each other again. Stay tuned on that front.....
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