This is nothing new, but there is so much comfort in the familiar. I read to Louie daily. And have for his entire life. Louie has been alive 3807 days. Pause. How lovely is that, to think about life in terms of days? I calculated that if I read to him anywhere from 30 minutes to (sometimes) 3 hours daily, it's likely I've read to him well over 100 days of my life, 3% of his life. I accredit Louie's ridiculous listening skills to this routine. As you know, you read the same book many times, to the point of memorization. Maybe you sigh and beg for a new book but think about why the same stories provide a certain coziness. Louie has been looking through his old picture books lately, musing over the stories we shared. I recall the lifespan of each, the most beloved pages and how each was acquired. There are sections of every book I read him that are difficult and tenuous to get through. Somehow the same old books can often carry a new meaning.

A nice day. We were surprised by Louie's energy. Catching up with Levi (the cat), Simpsons, lunch with friends, Lego and no day is complete (at least briefly) without DQ. And I got to catch up with some of my oldest friends, some I've had for over 14,000 days (please don't do the math).