(#57-1) November 27 2014. Because of my Anglo-Irish background, I tend to think of Christmas as the ultimate feast day—but Thanksgiving is growing on me.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY!

THANKS TO YOU, MY FRIENDS, I HAVE MUCH REASONS TO GIVE THANKS. I CONSIDER MYSELF AN EXCEPTIONALLY FORTUNATE MAN.

I WILL ALSO REPEAT SOMETHING THAT I HAVE BECOME TO BELIEVE IN ABSOLUTELY—NO ONE EVER ACHIEVES ANYTHING WORTHWHILE ALONE. THERE IS ALWAYS AT LEAST ONE OTHER PERSON HELPING—EVEN IF SOLELY IN INTANGIBLE WAYS.

AN AUTHOR MAY WRITE ALONE, BUT THAT IS NOT THE SAME THING AS BEING ALONE

If my current project succeeds—and it is really a series of inter-related projects—it will not only be the hardest thing I have ever done, but only have reached a desirable outcome because of the help of quite a number of people. In most cases, this help hasn’t been massive—but it has certainly been timely—and is deeply appreciated. In particular, I have been subject to much generosity recently, so today seems an excellent day to say, ‘Thanks’ yet again—and from the bottom of my heart.

Given that I live a fairly solitary life—I write alone as you surely know—I am surprised I have as many friends as I do; but I do, and I value you—and them—greatly.

It is also a good time to give thanks to my friends who have died. Too many have.

To say one builds on the shoulders of giants is something of a cliché—though very true. Still, though the sentiment is clear, it evokes a rather strange mental picture.

Let me compound the problem. I write on the shoulders of my friends.

Thank you.

VOR words 250

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