A letter from January 23rd, 2016

Hey dude - things have been rough for a long time. In some ways, like, all your life. But as of this year, you're getting better. The meds help. The bipolar diagnosis helps. The therapy helps. Even being unemployed, which sucks, helps. Joriel is my rock. I love her more than I have loved anyone except Sagan and Kepler. Our genius cubs, who we both love above all others. We're so proud of you both, whoever and wherever you find yourselves. Failure can be your best teacher, if you can stop your ego from yelling over her. Success is that first deep breath before you start on your next journey. You're getting better, Ben. Even if you fail in some way on the road ahead, just remember how much strength you found in yourself at the dawn of 2016. We'd better be on Mars by now.