It’s hard to sum up so many people who mean so much to me. I’m in a unique position in that I count myself part of many concentric family circles. As we’ve aged our friendships have grown and the contributions we make to each others lives have grown with us. In my birth family I’m the cool uncle, parachuting in with endless chats, adventures and energy. I carry bad jokes, exotic perspectives and unconditional love in a way that only uncles can. As a family unit, we’ve huddled together through mom & dad’s cancer, watched out for each other, stepped in as caretakers, and grieved together through mom’s passing. We have the beautiful legacy of mom & dad’s commitment to each other, their love for us and their unending pursuit of doing right by other people—and this trait reaches right out through our extended family. I’m incredibly lucky to be part of this legacy.

My circles of family have grown as I’ve aged. I’ve always been an explorer, wandering into new territory just to see what (and who!) is there. Along the way I’ve met so many wonderful people: artists, travellers, entrepreneurs, activists, caretakers, helpers, homemakers, drivers, hosts, therapists, researchers, technologists, actors, writers, filmmakers, photographers, musicians… such a kaleidoscope of beautiful and interesting people. You’ve all grown into a kind of chosen family, a unique status for a nomad like me.

Being always on the move means a certain kind of dependence, a reliance on consistent and honest friendships as I move through a world that’s in total flux. A characteristic of many of you is your lack of artifice: whatever is alive in any given moment is what we share. The overt frankness means that when we reunite, even after many months or years apart, life together feels incredibly normal. We’ve shared many long talks (and longer fragmented talks with those of you who have kids), long walks, conversations arcing over months and years, old debates, debts owed, bets made, inside jokes, memories of fullness and emptiness marked by each others’ presence… It’s a rich life we share, a tacit care marked by explicit acts of kindness.

I’m so incredibly grateful for all of you.