August 14th, 2020
Since my last entry (ten years ago, wow has it been that long already?) I'm glad to report that life has been a little kinder to me. I'm forty now. It sounds so much older, but I don't really feel that different. Sure my back protests every once in a while, but I'd say I'm in pretty good shape. I still work for the CIA, but I got promoted a few years ago. The pay's only slightly better, but I'll take what I can get. I have a family to provide for now, not just me. I guess that's the biggest news I've got to share. Annie and I joined in holy matrimony about five years ago and we have a beautiful little three year old girl named Arielle and another bundle of joy on the way! He's due next month. I feel like I'm on top of the world. I never really wanted children, especially after Tikrit, but of course Annie convinced me otherwise and I'm so glad that she did. I don't think I could go back to being without my little Ari and soon I'm going to have a son too. We haven't agreed on a name yet. The top three contenders are Aiden, Adam and Adrian. I'm partial to Adam but Annie's got a thing for unisex names for boys. We've both got a thing for names that start with "A" though, haha.
I was really apprehensive in starting another relationship after the fiascos of my first two serious ones, but it's better to have tried and failed than to never have and regret it. Fortunately it seems all my bad relationship mojo has gone and I'm grateful for Annie and the life that we've built together. She's no longer an operative though. It was just too dangerous a job once we had Arielle. I also don't really plead for field work anymore. I'd much rather stay alive and kicking for my children. Annie does still work for the CIA however, but only part-time as a translator. She also teaches languages (which one it is depends on the semester, right now she's on maternity leave) once a week for a university night class.
We live in a modest Spanish Colonial that Annie fell in love with. She said it reminded her of her days traveling the world. It was also a little over our price range, but we managed to strike a deal with the seller and with some budget maneuvering; we were able to purchase it. She squealed like a little girl, it was hilarious, but I love being able to make her happy. I remember when we first moved in, the chandelier in the foyer was too low for me and Annie kept forgetting to have someone come and lift it. For almost a month I was whacking my head on that thing, definitely not tall blind-man friendly.
Speaking of my blindness, I did read over part one of my "word filled time capsule" before writing this. It's been thirteen years now since Tikrit and I suppose to the surprise of my thirty year old self; I don't quite miss seeing as much as I did back then. Thirteen years is a long time, much longer compared to three. I've accepted this sightless plight of mine much more than before and can say that I'm almost at peace with being a blind man; it is who I am now. I think ten years ago, I didn't believe that. I say almost at peace because I don't truly believe I will ever fully. I miss seeing less now, but I still miss it. I've never seen my wife, my daughter and I won't be able to see my son. That breaks my heart more than anything. Sometimes after Annie's gone to sleep, I lay there and just trace her delicate features, wishing I could get a glimpse of them, even just once. I know my daughter has super blond hair and brown eyes. Everyone tells me she's like a miniature Annie, but they often forget I don't know how Annie looks. But I have no regrets. I don't know where I would be without my girls.
I think that's all for now. I know I haven't really said much about my actual birthday but honestly there's not much to say. Even though Annie's on leave, she managed to get a cake sent to the office today. It was a peanut butter filled chocolate cake from Baked and Wired, one of my all-time favorites. A more intimate affair consisting of a home cooked meal and time with my family in our humble abode rounded off the end to a pretty great day and of course my parents and brothers called from Illinois. I know, I live life on the edge man.
I feel like these entries are so far apart that I may write one every 5 years instead of 10 but I make no promises. With another child on the way it might be 20 years before I may write again, haha. No, but I highly doubt it. Annie will make sure I have time to do it. She has been diligent about hers and never fails to remind me, though 2 times isn't much of a track record yet. I guess, until next time.
-August Anderson