Thanks for the reminder, Buba. And man, yes, thoughts do matter, especially those that bring out the best in us.

For every family and community, life goes on. Hard to believe it’s been a year since Val Carr AKA Nuggets County passed. Val was part of the three or four of us from the LA Times Lakers Blog who wanted to create a new site when the Times Blog blew up and was closed. Lakerholics.Com was his baby as well as mine.

One of things I hate about growing old are the emails you get you thought were from an old friend you hadn’t heard from in a while only to find out it’s their son or niece or other relative who’s letting you know your good friend passed. Just got one of those from one of my best friends for over 50 years who was politically conservative leading to our drifting apart. Sorry I let things get in the way. Missed an opportunity to say good bye to a dear friend.

So hug the ones you love and hold them close to your heart. I have two reminders on my daily calendar: Be there and be kind The first is to remind me what being a life partner is really about, which is being more than just physically present but also fully mentally present. The second is about tamping down the anger that hovers over everything in life now days and not allowing it to simmer. Still trying to be and do better and make every day count.

Thanks for blogging with me everybody. Win or lose, it’s become a big part of my life and I thank you all

Miss : (