is a rough road better than no road at all?

Hi Kip,

One of my oldest and only friends in the world just had his son delivered. He's a premie, born at about six months. He's pretty happy, all things considered. I guess they're at the beginning of a long road, in a lot of ways, but it's good there's a road to travel sometimes. That's what I think now that I'm writing to you, anyway, Kip.

Days like these, Kip, I get to thinking that maybe I should have done something else with my life. Not that I hate my job, but wouldn't it be nice to do something that you get at least a little bit excited about? I don't feel that way a lot of the time, and life's short and all, right? What's your advice about that?

I get to thinking, too, though, that why does everybody think they deserve to be happy? I don't think there's much to that, feeling some sense of entitlement to happiness. I'd like to ask your dad about that, Kip. I'd feel stupid even saying it to him, but some part of me thinks that his answer would be instructive.

But say you couldn've made a living with art, if that was your gig? Do you think you would have been happy? Would I be happy tinkering with Macs or writing if I could do it every day? Who knows, right?

you know you want to go out

Dear Kip,

Wow, I put on one of your t-shirts the other day for a bike ride and I realized I hadn't even thought of you in forever. It was a greenish Pipeman tee that Aunt Penny got from your mom's store. I wonder whatever happened to all of those t-shirts and stuff? Anyway, it's a nice shirt, with a high mock turtleneck, so it was warm for the ride. I figured it was too cool for me to sweat, so it was safe. I usually wear synthetic fibers, because they don't hold moisture.

Anyway...I tested this kid today at school. I guess I shouldn't say kid; he was almost 17. He can't leave the house without his mom or brother or dad. Can't even run into a store for a quick errand by himself, you know? I felt kinda bad for him; he seems really nice: easy laugh, good sense of humor. He could get out of that, with the right help, I think.

Think of that, Kip: stuck in the house at 17 because of your brain. I don't even want to ask what you think of that. But I think if I did, you'd be kinder about it than most people. Just a hunch.

-nonjo