Closer

Santa brought these two iTouches for Christmas and after the holidays I had to get a new text plan because of it! While I was still in Florida, Ellie would text things like "Will you get me some juice?" (While I was in the next room). And Katy would text "I don't want you to leave." I would text back, "Me either."

It's hard to leave people you love. Of course after a certain amount of years, most of us start to become separated by geography by close friends and sometimes family. At the time when most everyone lived in the same place, or were together at college, you don't have the foresight to realize that its not always going to be this way. On a regular basis I miss people I love in Florida, California, Chicago, Austin, Michigan, Atlanta, London and Kanab, Utah, as well as those who've left for a better place.

Last week there was a spontaneous reunion for kirshenbaum bond & partners alumni, the wickedly smart, creative and fiercely independent ad agency I used to work at. It felt like stepping back into the late 90's as we drank pints of beer at Cafe Noir followed by late night cheeseburgers at Lucky Strike. And the one person I wanted to talk to about it, who we all wanted to talk to, was the one person who we weren't able to any more. Though I know what Dave would say - "It's D&D Advertising Time" - with a nod to the infamous 90's TV show Melrose Place.

In the cold days of early January I've been thinking about why I moved back East - and as a hint - it wasn't for the weather! It wasn't for work or great restaurants, culture and nightlife, for the walkability of the big village or unparalleled New York energy; it was and still is to be closer to family and friends.

The great gift of life are the people you get to share it with. The big 'Enjoy the Ride' reminder is to treasure it, all of it, and especially every face you get to see regularly or in your thoughts, that you love.