Love and Activism
Rianne is more than 3 years my senior, but that means she is mature and responsible. She's also a supportive wife and I, in return, protect her from bullies. Every good husband would do the same. Our 'children' are the birds.
Rianne wished me happy birthday at midnight. So did Alex Oliva (in IRC). Around midnight I saw that both my parents sent me cards (independent from each other as well), expressing respect, love, and support. So in a sense "my family" extends beyond "blood"; my wife and I are different in ethnicity, but we are extremely close, and some people in the Free Software movement go through the trouble of contacting me in IRC to say "happy birthday".
One's self-actualization, according to Abraham Maslow, depends first and foremost on psychological and safety needs, then love. Psychologically I've never been better and on birthdays we get to see who loves us and how much. Love is fertile soil for positive activism as opposed to sabotage.
We should, in return, reciprocate this love. We can pay tribute to selfless individuals who contribute thoughts, code, and moral support. They deserve a voice.
In a world rife with deadly diseases and conflict people ought to pursue love, not vengeance, and seek to find people who love them, not throw those people in a mental institution. █