A bittersweet Birthday, but a birthday nonetheless.

I was born 35 years ago on this day. Wow. I've seen a lot, done a lot, and learned a lot. I've seen the United States from the shores of New Jersey to the mountains of California. I've studied film and literature. I've read William Shakespeare and Howard Stern. I've seen classic films and the newer garbage that Hollywood sends out each year. I've played guitar, been in a few bands, and rue the day that I gave up playing. I've had friends pass away. I've lost my Mom to cancer...

...and now, with Marion, I am in a battle with cancer. It's hard to define what my role is in this battle. With a soldier like Marion, she makes things very easy. Even when she's in pain, she doesn't complain.

I'll relate a story because it just shows how amazing Marion is. I have cavities in probably 95% of my teeth, and from time to time will get these horrible, mind numbing, toothaches. One day last week, I was suffering from such a toothache when Marion came upstairs and knew I was in pain. She laid with me, rubbed my head, and just basically stayed with me to help keep my mind off of the pain while the Tylenol worked its way through me. Here I am with a freaking toothache...and she's suffering from cancer. I am truly humbled by her in most every day.

So, it's my birthday today. My Birthdays have stopped really meaning much by the time I turned 30 or so. I don't know. It just seems there is less and less to celebrate each year. Maybe that's the pessimist in me. But, it just seems odd to celebrate the day you were born. I really didn't have much to do with it.

I don't want to sound like I don't appreciate life. I do. In so many ways I appreciate the small things that most people are too busy to notice. I live my life in a series of small moments...the morning dew, the almost too blue sky, the laugh of a lover.

I do have a birthday wish...for Marion to be cured. I want the cancer to go away as if it was never there. She's doing so well now, and I think she will for the duration. She's a soldier, and she can win this.