Dear you,

Seasons greetings! It's been a while since I last checked in at all. But as the dust settles across the Walmarts I work at, the Christmas retail frenzy of 2021 is now complete. Eggnog is stocked by the pallet, paws now rest on an ottoman, and multiple blankets now cloak me like actual dragon wings.

On this end I've done a lot since the last entry! For example, an art contest of a lioness hosted by Ritualist has filled the void between sleep and work. I've collected ~24 pages of notes about the lioness, the culture, and especially important to me story ideas. Outside of that, I'm exploring my mental health by better understanding my ADHD. I've come to the realization therapy and possibly medication will help a lot. So life is going well!

But this is about you, dear you. You who matter so much to me that I debated writing you a unique, grateful Christmas message. Each and every one of you would have gotten this. But there's just so many of you who have made a positive difference in my life, that to do this I would have to have started since last Christmas - assuming no days off even!

So as an open letter to all,
To those especially who helped me heal when I was at my worst,
To those who were there for me even at the earliest hours of the morning,
To those who's friendship spans years,
To those who's new acquaintance filled me with joy,
To those who helped me grow as a writer,
To those who made my actual job so much better just by talking with me,
To those especially who I've cherished magical nights together with,
And finally, to those like you who read this - for if I've shared a link to this journal directly to you then you especially either are or have left a beautiful gift in my life.

Thank you.

I am grateful to know each one of you. There's so many to talk to, and I am terrible at keeping up with messages. So to you and to you all, I say this. My front porch light is always on, the door always unlocked, and if you ever need me you can contact me anytime. It could be days, months, years, I won't mind. I'll still treat you the way we were the second you left, as if no time has passed. If I can't reply or if I miss you, forgive me I'm still trying my best. But know I'll always be there for you because you matter more to me than all the dragon hoards, macro growth contraptions, and stories I could ever hope to come across.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a beautiful New Year to you all! Here's to another year - for I know I can face anything with gifts like you in my life.

Balans