Thank You...Yes, I Mean You

I wanted to take a quick time out today to say thank you. I know tomorrow's going to be busy, so...grab a tissue, kids. It's about to get weepy in here.

Thank you, my family and friends, for everything you've done for the kids and I this year. I have to put you all in the same category because there have been many times when I couldn't tell the difference between the two.

You've cried with me, gotten angry with me, cried for me, gotten angry for me. You offerred sanctuary and support.

You've dropped off meals, laughter, gifts, cards, candy, flowers, wine, bubble wrap, clothes, conversation, and love.

You held my hands through anxiety attacks, dark moments, tears, and panic. Sometimes that hand holding was virtual, sometimes it was literal, but it was there at a moment's notice without a second thought.

You told me how to catch a mouse, what was going bump in the night, and what wine to serve with pumpkin pie. You gave me information, knowledge, understanding, leeway. You dragged me running, to movies, to dinners, to your homes, and pushed me to keep writing.

You made me laugh until I cried, then laugh some more.

You helped me move, unpacking boxes, making beds, putting together furniture, and, most importantly, filling my new home with laughter from the first moment.

You helped me throw a birthday part for a two-year-old when all I wanted to do was crawl into bed.

You fed me.

You commented on my blog, commented on Facebook, tweeted me, IM'd me, called me, texted me, wrote for me. You made sure that not a minute goes by in which I feel alone.

In many ways, my world fell apart last April. In a lot of ways, it's come back together, stronger, richer than before. You are better friends than I could ever hope to be.

I can never, ever thank you enough.

I wanted to name names, but I'm petrified of accidentally missing someone. So I won't. Instead, if you're reading this, I mean you. Yes. You.