You say it's your birthday. It's my birthday, too, yeah.

Yes, it's the old girl's birthday. I'm spending this evening with my oldest friend. I believe we're having stir fry … and a lot of laughs.

Yesterday my coworkers took me to lunch at my favorite deli. I had lox.

Monday night another friend took me to dinner. Italian. I had lasagna (and the leftovers were my dinner last night).

The first salvo was dinner with my old boss at her favorite French restaurant. Seared duck and chocolate souffle.

Tomorrow I will share my birthday celebration with the family Thanksgiving turkey.

It sounds like a lot, and it is. There will be phone calls and cards, too. I'm fortunate that people remember, but I'm still feeling a little melancholy.

Friday I was supposed to go to the movies with "John" (previous post). I'm astonished by the lengths he'll go to, just to avoid seeing Bobby.

And last year my best friend was still in Chicago regularly. He helped plan a big and very perfect birthday dinner at one of my favorite restaurants. This year he's in Denver, with his whole, big extended family. He loves to cook so he's completely in his element -- planning an elegant Thanksgiving dinner for more than 20 guests. I'm happy that he's so happy there, but I miss him terribly here.

Those two men have left quite a void.

But the sky is blue. The office closes early today. I see a lot of beer and laughter ahead of me. I shall try to concentrate on what I have, not on who I miss.