Last month I celebrated my 46th birthday -- well, actually I ignored it completely, because there were more important things going on, and also because the prospect of aging terrifies me to my core. I much prefer the idea of skipping this one and chalking it up to time travel. But strangely, being here is helping with that fear. Or perhaps it's just replacing it with the much more pertinent fear of dying before I ever get the chance to age any further. Hard to say.
At any rate! All of this has reminded me, more than ever, that our time here together is fleeting. I don't want to die or disappear without having made every one of you a close personal friend. So if we haven't met yet, let's change that! I can't wait to make your acquaintance. And if we have met, let's hang out again! Let me make you a cup of herbal tea, or come join me for a run outside! You're all beautiful people with incredible souls, and I am so fortunate to be here sharing this mountain with you.