A couple of months ago I wrote about two former friends of mine with gender identity problems

[fpb]

At the time, I was under the impression that one of them had died. Today I had the pleasure of finding out that I was wrong. I do not feel that I can say anything more without her consent, but she wrote to me yesterday to put me up to date. This is lovely news and a heartening way to end the year, so much otherwise under the shadow of colossal natural tragedy and depressing political rot. I am very happy.