(Intro from Part I)

Happy 75th Birthday L.A.,

We had our first argument an hour or two before we met. Let’s see anyone top that! We’ve been arguing now for about 35 years.

I don’t remember ever winning any of those arguments. They are, fortunately, about things that are of no real importance. On the big things we lucked out, or should I say I lucked out because you are smarter than me by far.

You have always been the best wife I could ever have (I speak from experience) and the best mother Amanda could have asked for (and by “asked” I mean demanded).

You are a compassionate soul with a heart of gold and a whim of steel, not to mention your damned eidetic memory.

God knows I’m in fucking awe of how you navigate the minefield of life, not only for yourself but for others you come in contact with.

You have literally and figuratively saved my life many times and you have always been the person in my life who I admire the most.

May all your days be happy all your life as you have made others happy all their lives.

You still, as you know, are a pain in the ass.

I love you,
Jay