For reasons which strike terror into the very core of my being…the past week has been one of the most difficult of my entire life — and the worst part is, I didn’t even see it coming. And, yet…there it was, upon me, snatching the breath from my chest and bringing me to my goddamned knees. Believe me when I tell you, that without the clear-headed logic, reason, compassion, devotion, and brilliance of Gregory…I would most definitely be a goner.

At the moment of impact, my very first thought, as insane and unlikely as it sounds, was a notion from one of my favorite childhood books, C.S. Lewis’, “The Magician’s Nephew.” It continues to echo in my head:

“The Sorceress Jadis was indeed the first evil to enter Narnia on its original day of creation…and her corruption would impact it for ages to come.”

Jadis has indeed entered my world — and no matter how much I may wish her away…she is here. Even when I feel I have her vanquished — she will always be in the shadows…waiting. I suspect that I shall never sleep as soundly nor feel peace in quite the same way again.

And such is the nature of being alive. The rise and fall and rise again.

When you least expect it…EXPECT IT.

Life is both beauty and agony. Calm and storm. Joy and horror. But, we persevere. That is our job here. To hold onto each other. To find strength in love and friendship. To figure it out. To dig deep. To get up and keep moving. To NOT give up. To pour ourselves a drink, put on some lipstick, and fucking pull ourselves together.

Red lipstick.

RUSSIAN RED.

And onward…yes, ON.