Mark thought of Joni Mitchell and I thought of Carl Sagan. I once had a chance to meet him at a physics conference in Toulouse my Ex was part of, but was pissy and hungover and thus missed the dinner. (My Ex had arranged for me to sit next to Carl because he knew I was such a fan.)

Carl died not long thereafter. Both my ex and I were stricken by his loss...as my ex was stricken by my ingratitude/behavior the night in Toulouse. I was the stuff of coal, not diamonds.

But I'm off topic. The point is, Carl always said on Cosmos, "we're star stuff." Those words entranced me the moment I heard them and continue to.

Love how you've link stars to those we've loved and lost but not lost. Thank you.