Roaring into the New Year

Chinese New Year came and went and what a celebration it was.  Even with Omicron Covid slowing things down and causing some of the larger events to be canceled, we still got to be a part of it.  Kiddo was hyped and just sat in awe for the entire event.  It was unlike anything I have ever seen and experienced and we all can’t wait for more.  Next year is the Year of the Rabbit, so how will the celebration and events differ between Tiger and Rabbit.  The costumes, music, style, and tone of it all.  Also, as we learn more, what will we glean in the years to come.  And can or will we see and celebrate Chinese New Year in Vietnam or Korea or Japan or maybe even China itself.  The thoughts are legion.  Pics and vids at the end this time.

****

I have to thanks Doc J for the little cry I had this morning.  I received an email from my good friend Doc J about my post The Path from the Past and it really touched me.  Both in the recognition of my struggle, but also in her end line to me.  

The post about your health and wellness was so brave and vulnerable. I'm in awe about how you can share and articulate and recognize the continual struggle. So proud to be your friend.

I have said and expressed similar things to friends and people in my life before.  I can show you letters and emails that I have written in the past saying similar things.  Proud to call you friend, proud to be your friend, awed by your friendship/love/companionship, etc etc.  

Words matter.  At least to me.  I know the words to songs and I am curious to look them up if I don’t know them.  Books, a wall of words.  Part of the reason I’ve never taken to the graphic novel as a medium is that it’s words, but more than words.  I love words.  I love to use and feel words.  Explore them.  Share them.  Both in my thoughts in this blog, or in a journal I keep, or in convo with friends or J or even Kiddo.  

So, to get an email that recognizes that use of words, but then the simple statement, “So proud to be your friend.”  

And that is a convo going back 20+ years.  Doc J and I have a strange path together, sometimes so far away that we don’t speak for a year, only to come back together and speak frequently for months or years on end.  The complete ease that we have to fall right back into just being Doc J and APM around each other.  

Doc J, I know you read the blog frequently enough that you won’t miss this post.  Thank you!  And I love you.  You have been one of my most constant companions in this weird thing called life.  Know that those words carry meaning.  Also, J and the Kiddo mirror that, in their own way; as J recognizes the friendship and kinship we have.  Kiddo just likes Dada’s friend and is, in her 4 year old way, happy that Dada is happy and all that.  

*****

The email from Doc J sparked this blog, but at the same, she emailed because she was trying to comment and couldn’t.

That’s a note for all reading.  Comment, if you want.  Even if it’s just a quick WOW or reaction to a pic.  Drop a note.  We’re always happy to hear from you.

Just like we’re happy to share.  In my case, OVER share.  

Seriously, though, we are happy to share and I am working on that as well.  Part of that is my mental health and doing that work and healing, but also to share.  Not infrequently, but a few times a week.  And to document more.  I wasn’t a picture guy until recently and that is because I’m not comfortable in pics; both taking and posing for.  Never my thing.  See above.  Words are my jam.  But I’m trying.  I’m keeping pictures on top of my mind so that we can share with you all.  If you want to share back, please know that we would enjoy that.  

Also, we are on Facebook and Instagram both.  So, more pics and vids and things are shared there.  Kind of more, “in the moment”, as it were.  And J has her’s as well, Instagram at least, where she shares.  I’m sure if you ask for the add, she’ll let ya in.  

Enjoy the pics and vids of Chinese New Year and some of our adventures and experiences.  Also- a really good flower picture that J took, life with a four year old, and Kiddo opening a salon for friends.  Note: Poley might sound a lot like Dada, but rest assured, Poley is very much his own thang.