My cat turned three. We have it on our joint calendar. I went through the contacts in my phone and counted out three people that had died since I last checked. The family members whose birthdays are in that calendar aren't going away, but I wonder how long the cat will linger. A friend of mine recently lost her dog of eight years, and I know I'm going to outlive this pet. I've lived in my house longer, which sounds odd to write out. It's weird to think about.
Back when my wife and I were engaged (a solid twenty years ago now, we're approaching a big anniversary), we were at that part of our lives where all of our friends were doing that. Wedding and baby announcements were as common as junk mail. It all slowed down after awhile, and the wedding announcement trickled in as the last holdouts found someone that could tolerate them.
Or, someone they could tolerate. Whoever is pickier, I suppose.
News of breakups never exploded outward like a wedding did. The latter was always met with fanfare and planning. The former was usually announced much quieter. He changes his profile picture to one of him and the kids. She changes hers to one with more cleavage. Sometimes the entire profile of one or the other disappeared. One time we got a wedding announcement in the mail that we were pretty sure wasn't her first. Nonetheless, these stealth announcements were much slower to make themselves known, but it happened far more than previously, but even those have slowed down now.
Now? I've been to more funerals in the past year than in the previous ten combined. Thankfully, most of them were elderly. I wish I didn't have to add that, but here I am.
At least it's finally nice out. I already have several hikes planned, and I need to knock out all 46 before my knees totally give out on me.
