From Gary Armstrong

Happy Birthday, Willie.
I write this late, putting it off to the last minute, of course. But I have had the opportunity while sifting through my thoughts and memories to read some of the postings on this blog of many of your friends and family.
 
The blog reminds me of our trip to Sedona for Donny's wedding. One night we talked about how you view or don't view yourself as worthy. Each of us human beings has our doubts from time to time about whether we are worthy of the love we receive, whether that love is real, whether if people really knew us that they would love us, whether the respect and admiration we sometimes may experience is real. Self doubt springs eternal.
 
What is readily apparent to anyone who reads this blog is that you are truly loved, appreciated, wanted, even needed. That you give of yourself in ways that you probably don't even realize, just by showing up and being yourself. That people of all ages see in you a man of courage, wisdom, humor, and compassion. They see in you a friend, a lover, a mirror. People look at you and you reflect back, like magic, only the best to them.
 
If there was any gift that you could give yourself this birthday, it is only to accept what is communicated in and by this blog to you and about you. To accept that you are loved and worthy of that love; that you are appreciated and worthy of that appreciation; that you are enough, just as you are. I hope that you get it.
 
Love and blessings,
Gary