This Christmas

[proteanmix]

I've decided to give the people who've been my rocks this year letters as Christmas presents.

This year has been very difficult to put it mildly. I want to thank them and show them how greatly I've appreciated their support during this year.

I guess the words will come to me when I begin to write. I'll try to heave my heart into my mouth, (Shakespeare has a line for everything) but some things are damn near ineffable.

 

[INTJMom]

That's a great idea, Protean.

 

[proteanmix]

Friend 1:

I guess I’ll just start out at the deep end. I’m going to keep it short.

Thank you.

Thank you for tolerating my lip droppings and other biological matter on your floor,
Thank you for coming out with me and letting me schlep you around,
Thank you for telling me the truth when I needed to hear it,
Thank you for being yourself around me so we were able to develop a friendship of mutual trust and respect.

Thank you so very much for all your support you’ve given me, not just over this tumultuous year but in general. Your door is always open and you have endless patience for my freak-outs and freak-ins. You’re insightful, smart, and tough yet sensitive.

It’s very rare for me to find a friend who I feel like I can say anything to and completely be myself around. You know how picky, paranoid, and distrustful of human flesh I am. I hope that if ever the time comes I can support you at least half as much as you’ve done for me that I am capable of providing you with what you need.

I love you very much.

OK, now that I’m done being goopy just pretend this never happened!