They are my companions. My trustworthy, stalwart friends in my many adventures and tribulations. A constant source of wisdom, inspiration and reasoned truth. A comfort in times of sorrow, a joy in times of gaiety, a stabilizing anchor in times of anomie. A constant presence, a constant in an ever shifting time of uncertainties.

Imagine my surprise, then, when I received an email from the library:

“This is a courtesy notice that the following items will be due soon. Please return the items or have them renewed.”

Followed by a lengthy enumeration of all my friends, one after another. Then, an imminent date of last return.