Here's To You

Today we are departing from the usual zest and ping that the Cat Lady so freely offers you, and changing the key to a more serious note. What's this? you ask. Yes, you read right. We are now going to get serious. I'll pause to allow you time to collect yourself.....

You see, the joy and unique accomplishment that the Cat Lady is wouldn't have ever happened without the inspiration and wit of my best friend, Austrie Messer. And since today is her birthday, I find it only fitting to celebrate her with a tribute, a soliloquy if you will. Why, just this evening I was telling my boyfriend (WHAT IN THE WORLD?! Sorry my dear friends, that's a tale for another day) at how I wouldn't have survived this last year without my red-headed sister. I'll spare you the mushy details, but the long and short of it all is that without Austrie, I really don't think I would have been able to pull through this past year. Austrie is the kindest, most patient, genuine friend I've ever had. I love her for so many reasons-too many to share, and most to personal for me to even want to. But what I can tell you is that my life is better because of her. What I can tell you is that it is an honor being her friend, a blessing to be able to love her. She sees the good in everyone, and I mean EVERYONE. She has the patience of Job-I've NEVER seen her get upset with anyone. She is hands-down one of the funniest human beings I know. She has this killer dry sense of humor that confuses most people, but if you know her well enough, you almost hurt yourself laughing with her. Austrie is consistent, and that may not seem like a big deal, but think about that for one minute with me: how many people do you know that always follow through, no matter the inconvenience, the exhaustion they feel, the stress in their life? In our world today, consistency is something we are lacking more and more. Austrie is one of the most steady constants in my life. I LOVE her for her goodness, her honest heart, her kind deeds, her willingness to always put me before herself. And if this is all starting to sound a bit too intimate for you, just remember that she and I are self-proclaimed partners for life. So here's to you, Aus. Thank you for being born. It will be a privilege growing old and decrepit with you.