Dear Ether…

..I have some requests, or maybe they would qualify as wishes, or even very well-meant and thoughtful hopes. I realize that your lack of corporeal reality prevents a true face-to-face request, and your usual wishing well/fountain/oracle-in-a-cave outlets are kinda busy this time of year, so I thought I would take a whack at this approach.

I’m hoping that my personal curmudgeon-ishness can be overlooked, as these are not for me, and so are meant for truly nice and well-meaning people. OK, so here goes…

For my wife I wish for her the strength to be unafraid, and know that I love her and will stand by her no matter what forever.

For my son and daughter I hope for patience, so that in time they may see each other as they are, not as they were.

For Joel I wish a chance to swing away, knowing that it will clear the wall no matter where he is. For Katie I wish that everyday, she has one special moment, when she knows without a doubt that she is loved. For them both I wish my strongest wish, for love and joy forever.

For Marcel I wish one hour when there is no lack of just the right word, the right phrase, and that he can say it all in that hour.

For Jayne, my wish is simple, that she sees in her mirror what I see.

For Chris and Devon I wish a single moment of unlimited love together everyday, but always at a different time of day because they like surprises.

For Eric, I wish him peace.

For Erik and Sally, I wish good travels and amazing dragonflies!

For John and John, I wish barbecuing classes, and strong hugs.

For my parents, for whom the journeys end draws closer, I wish comfort knowing they have succeeded, and we love them for who they are and what they did for us.

For Cosima, I wish a never-ending sense of adventure, and one hundred years of joy with Little Man.

For SeaRabbit I wish contentment, knowing that her voyages will all end with her love in her arms.

I just know I have forgotten someone. Please forgive me, and let me wish for those whom I have failed to mention good health, fair sailing, and above all peace and honor.