Oh hey! It’s me! Let’s go on a little ramble, you and I, because if there’s one absolute, indisputable truth in this world, it’s that you love it as much as I love writing it. (That’s what I’m telling myself at least, so play along, please and thank you.)

I’ll start with…

Every few days, I make a vow which goes a bit like, “Today! Today is the day I’m going to sit down and write. Today I will share that story – the one where…” and then I go about doing day things, which turn into days things, and I find I’m back to “Right! Today is the actual day, not like the other day when that obviously wasn’t going to happen, but today is different. It’s a fresher day. A sassier day. A day clearly meant for words and wording.” And then it turns out that today wasn’t particularly different than any other day. Well, other than I’ve forgotten the previous story I planned to tell, and have moved on to the next one that I won’t get around to telling either. (One of us should jot down their story ideas.) Anyway… lately, I’ve been taking it to a next level where I’ve moved from “today I will write” to “I think I’ll write something every day for a month!” A lofty notion where I picture myself sitting here (you know, here, it’s similar to your “there” but it’s right here being warmed by the glow of a large monitor in a dark room like some cartoon cyber villain, but lazier and about 98% less manic… or driven) tippity typing away. Then I realize it’s not the first of the month, and we all know you can’t just write for a month in the middle of the month, there are societal writing norms to be followed, else be shunned – maybe even exiled from my community – left to wander the highway wastelands, poking shredded tire bits with the tops of my shoes. So, then I have to wait out the rest of the month, only to realize I completely forgot I was going to start writing, and now it’s the 11th of the month, and well, we can’t start writing daily then; it’s way too confusing to readers! Honestly… writing in the middle of the month like some common brute who claps at the wind and is convinced their reflection is witchcraft. Who would do such a thing? I’m much more sophisticated!!

Moving On

My #1 goal has been: don’t write when you’re about to start fundraising in the Fall. Everyone is tired of that old trick. Show them you care throughout the year!

As an aside, and in my pitiful defense, it’s technically still summer. Just an FYI BTW, you’re welcome.

Yes, yes, feel free to sigh along with me. Go on. You’re in fine sighing company. It was the best defense I have.

So, let’s just stop with all the pageantry and get to it, but I promise to add an incentive (????) at the end. (Note all the question marks. Your take away – we all have doubts right now, including myself.)

Moving On: The Revenge of the Move

As you may recall from previous years, September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, and the 10th of September (yesterday) was World Suicide Prevention Day. Today also happens to be the day I technically think of as my anniversary – or the one that matters most to me, Sept. 11 – the day Jay told me he loved me for the first time. You may recall that we celebrated every 11th of the month for almost 17 years. Now what was a fun celebration of monthly celebrations is just another unremarkable day. Boo.

Like I do every year, I’m doing my part to raise awareness along with funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and like every year, I need your help. I need you to choose to make a difference.

How?

There are a few ways you can do this – you can sign up for the walk – it’s super easy, just go to the Jay Walkers team page (click that link right next to this parenthetical – trust me, it’s linked) and select “Join Our Team”. You don’t have to come to Austin, you don’t have to walk at 10 am, and you don’t have to make a donation – you’re just agreeing that on October 25th (the day of the walk) you’ll commit to throwing on some shoes and walking, and by doing so, you’re helping fight the stigma associated with suicide just by being you and being out there. How cool is that?

We currently have a bout six walkers already signed up, which is awesome; however, to pass our previous record of 22, we’re going to need a few (bunch) more of you to join in.

Another way to help – you can a donation!

Fun fact: Every year, I hold on to the hope that the Jay Walkers will rise to the top—with the most walkers and the most funds raised for suicide prevention. That #1 spot keeps slipping through our fingers (curses!), but the mission never does. We walk for Jay. We walk for everyone affected by suicide. We walk for change.

And with your help, we can lead the way.

Oh yeah, the incentive…

If someone donates $250 to the Jay Walkers by Monday , I promise to post on my blog daily—yes, daily—for the rest of the month starting in the middle (eep) of the month. That’s right: more stories, more sass, more parentheticals and of course more stream-of-conscious rambles than you ever asked for. I will tell stories from the past, maybe a few from the present, and who knows… I may tell stories FROM the future stories (oooo ahhh).

Think of it as a literary floodgate powered by generosity. You donate, I overshare. Everyone wins. And we like winning, right? RIGHT?!?!

So, what do you say? Will you walk with us today?

PS – this is me making a pitch in all my pitch-making glory – Central Texas drawl and awl (see what I did there): https://www.facebook.com/share/v/174KLeGx3Q/