Plunge, my friend.

I'm almost embarrassed for how long I've taken to respond to this, which by now probably most of my regular readers are already well aware of. The truth is that there is not much else I've thought of since I read that.

Like so many things in my life that are important, I wanted to take this important thing — my on-line friend's grave news — and respond appropriately by taking the time to write what is in my heart and needs to be said.

And like so many other things in my life, I always find it hard to find enough time for such important things. I'm so busy with the little things that the really important things often take a backseat. Which is, of course, backwards. Days and then weeks go by before I call that family member I've been meaning to call or send an email to that friend I've been meaning to. I can't let that happen now.

I have never met Plunge — I don't even know what his real-world name is — but I have engaged him enough through the blogosphere that I would consider him a friend. As someone mentioned on his blog, it's funny how people you've never met can touch your lives in such a way.

I do know several K-blog people personally. I am related to one or two, and I have downed a couple beers with others (Oranckay, Your Mum, Wedge, Haisan, to name a few). To varying degrees, I have e-corresponded or had phone conversations with Space Nakji, The Marmot, Brendon Carr, Lost Nomad, Curzon, and Jodi (whom I may also have "met" at the Apache Mall in Rochester, Minnesota, when she was a toddler and I was a kid).

And of course, Plunge.

Plunge and I are often (but by no means always) on the same side of many issues, but even if we weren't, I can easily see that the good in this person shines through. He's the kind of person whom, if I found myself within 200 miles of his hoome, I would go out of my way to visit.

Plunge, I wish it were kidney trouble ailing you, because I would gladly donate one — I've got two and they're both in good shape.

But barring that, you will always have my prayers. My thoughts and prayers go out to your wife and daughter as well. These are challenging times ahead, but it seems that you couldn't be with two better people than they.

For my part, please, please, please do not hesitate to contact me for anything you think I could help with. Promise me one thing in return: do what you can to stay strong, and humor us by listening to our advice, because everyone here loves you.

One such bit of advice is that you make your way to Rochester, Minnesota, (or to Scottsdale, Arizona, though Minnesota is the better choice) for a visit to the Mayo Clinic. Whatever is ailing you, there is almost certainly someone at that world-renowned research facility working on it, and there might be something cutting edge that is available only there.

More thoughts later. In the meantime, Godspeed and God bless.