Reflecting back, wayyyy back to the dark ages. When Presidents stumbled getting off airplanes or talked about tightening our belts. When fights broke out in gasoline lines to get a few gallons below $1.00 before the pump ran out. When disco was king, and the Queen's son was young and available and heir to the throne. When cop shows were comedies, and Iran was buying US airplanes. When rivers were catching fire; and Earth, Wind and Fire were Grammy stars. When Pluto was a planet, and also an affable cartoon dog without advertising logos stamped on him. When women of the year were humanitarians or world leaders, not ex-male Olympian reality TV stars. When... well, you get the idea. Have things really changed THAT much? Not for single moms trying to eek out a living for themselves and their kids. Not for coal miners dying in dying towns. Not for Blacks in northern cities without a voice in their own destiny. Not for economic and war refugees being treated like a viral pandemic. Not for small businesses being squeezed on one side by large corporations, and on the other by mountains of government regulations. Not for service workers or factory workers--or just workers in general--who find themselves on the liabilities side of the balance sheet, rather than the assets side, where they belong. And, not for me. I have the same hopes and dreams. The same awe for a stunning sunrise. The same body that I'm never quite happy with. The same internal demons that I must vanquish daily. To all of you everywhere who have shown me kindness and affection and tolerance over the years, I can't possibly thank you enough. YOU have been the difference, and always will be. I love you from deep in my soul. -- Mark, 61 (and still counting, slowly)