Shout-outs, and not the "in pain" kind, either

I have to head back to work tomorrow -- today now, actually-- and this after spending a week sleeping until about 10, usually in a drug-induced fog. Why am I still up? Because these are some of the people who were incredibly nice to us this week. They're incredibly nice any other time, but under the circumstances were especially swell this week:



Adam, who ducked out of work to cart Kirsti and me home from the hospital.

Karen, who recommended a whole bunch of back-care books.

Natalie, who, upon hearing we would not be flying to Boston, was among the first to extend a Christmas Eve dinner invite to us. Go hear her sing, won't you?

Michelle, Chris, and Karlo, who brought a care-package of one of those hot/cold cherry-pit pillows and some of Michelle's FAAAAAB-you-luss spaghetti sauce and meatballs. This (not the cherry-pit pillow) turned out to be Christmas Eve dinner, as we thought traveling and sitting would still be a dicey proposition at that point.

Steve and Jenni, whose phone call turned into a Christmas dinner invite. This one we did take up. I mean, it began, "You fuckin' cripple." How could we possibly say no?