HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STEPHEN PARRISH!!

This guy is . . . a number so huge, I can barely type it.

The big 5-Uh-Oh.

Fifty.

Makes me kind of nauseous typing it because some day in a few years, I'll be that huge number. But then, he'll be older than THAT, and I can still call him an old man, so that's okay. So he's turning 50. It's after midnight here, and he's already up over in Germany, eating his Wheaties or whatever it is old people eat for breakfast. And he is so beloved in the blogosphere that I heard from not one, but three different people reminding me of this auspicious occasion. People I have never met emailed me about it.

How did I get to be pals with Stephen? I followed links, of course. And I even remember his post that day. Stephen's blog, for those who don't know, started out about writing. It's still, a lot of times, about writing. And Stephen writes the most beautiful essays. But along the way, the blog acquired a fairly political slant. As often as I go there and well up at a beautifully worded essay, I will go and read an extremely well-written one on politics.

So it was that I wouldn't comment there for a while. Because if there is anyone you don't want to disagree with, it's Stephen. He's a great debater. So I visited. Often. And realized he and I, as far as I know, never disagreed politically. But I still wouldn't comment because there were people who seemed to live for disagreeing with Stephen, and I didn't want to enter the fray. Eventually I did. Once in a while, I find I can't help myself, even though just as often I remind myself not to respond because it gets so heated over there. But still, the guy writes on, defending gay rights, taking on all comers about the war and immigration and racism. And reminding me that there are people out there who seem to care passionately about this country and who are patriots, but who aren't afraid to speak out about important issues.

And along the way, at some point, even though he lives really far away, Stephen became someone I call a friend. We've chatted online. On the phone. And over email. And he is just a very impassioned writer who seems to invite a lot of affection if this cyberspace surprise party is any indication.

And that . . . when all is said and done says two things to me. That the community of writers is a pretty affectionate lot much of the time. And that the Internet can be an amazing tool to bring people all over the globe together.

Oh, and another thing. That one guy can have a lot of friends and be a pretty special person. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OLD GUY. We all love ya! (And Miss Snark herself sent him birthday wishes over here. A round of gin and a kiss from George Clooney for everyone--even Stephen.)