Greetings, dA. I was given some unfortunate news, as you may infer. I am okay, and my family is okay, and you needn't worry too terribly much. I am at peace. I am unconquerable.

Let us simply say that I have chosen to live until the Lord calls me home.

A little William Ernest Henley now:

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

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Thank you to everyone who has stopped by to read and comment on this piece. Its author, William Ashley Brown, III (better known as Pip to most of us, and yet many other internet pseudonyms through the years), lost his battle with cancer in January 2010.

Rest-assured those last few months of his life were some of the happiest. Bill died with dignity, on his own terms, completely at peace with the world. His ashes were spread on Irish soil, as per his wishes, and we threw quite the lively wake as per his plans.

Bill is survived by his partner and husband, Brody, and all his loving friends and relations.

-Nic
6 Nov 2012