Thanks

… to Harry, for his energy, support, and for just being there every day.

… to all of my cousins, for keeping in touch through IMs and Facebook, and letting us know we are all cared about

… to Shaka, for taking care of the crick in my neck and my overall body problems, for giving me a space where I can forget for a while

… to Brendan, for your strength, your humor, your sensitivity, your way with Cashel, your way with all of us, and for enriching my life in almost every conversation we have. Oh, and thanks for giving me Valley Girl for Christmas. I watched it last night and it is as fabulous as I remembered.

… to the Chinese man at the gift shop who sells me my rose oil and always greets me with a nice smile and friendly banter … I look forward to going in there

… to Barry. Just because.

… to Allison, for our friendship that just gets deeper and better with every passing day. I miss you!

… to Bob O’Neill, for caring about the books

… to Mum. I can’t even speak.

… to Pat, for making my sister Jean happy

… to Maria, for just being there, for reading my book in one sitting, for comparing it to the Waltons, for bringing Cashel into the world, and for her general energy over Christmas

… to Michael, for being understanding about my freakout of tween proportions over the last week. “Woah, slow down” he wrote. I need understanding. I need safety. Sometimes I freak out. I need someone who can understand, talk me out of the clock tower, tell me to chillax in a loving manner, and not abandon me just because I’m difficult. Thank you.

… to David Maslin for his applesauce

… to Dad. For everything.

… to the Quinns. I have known them my whole life. I love them.

… to Father Creedon. Words cannot express.

… to Kerry, for her humor, her Red Sox Kleenex box, and for taking care of Hope while I am away

… speaking of Hope, thank you Hope for coming into my life

… to Keith at House Next Door, for giving me a space to write giant pieces about my current obsessions – and for also editing me so well to save me from my own excesses.

… to Mitchell. For being my date at Jean and Pat’s wedding, for making sure his tie matched my bridesmaid dress, for not letting that bitchy actress appropriate my cousin Kerry’s career, for listening, laughing, loving, and for everything else you have given me.

… to Jackie, who for some reason is banned from commenting on my blog, and I can’t figure out how to change it. I have felt you out there, dear friend.

… to all the gorgeous women in my Girl Group – I cherish each and every one of you

… to Alex, whose humor, intelligence, anger, creativity, and passion are a constant reminder of how I want to live my life

… to David, for talking, listening, caring, and making me laugh

… to Cashel, for just who you are, my dear nephew – you are such a good person and I am proud to know you.

… to Ben, for coming into Siobhan’s life, and for being such a nice person, such a part of our family already. Thanks for the hot dogs!

… to Mickey Rourke, for coming back from obscurity and thrilling me to no end

… to Melody: for how you love my brother, for how you love Cashel, and for how you have been like a third sister these years … It means so much to me to have you be a part of my life.

… to Pat McCurdy, for your caring funny text messages, and for still, after everything, being there for me

… to Beth, for letting me in on what you are going through right now, and being such a good friend

… to Siobhan, for being a continuous surprise, someone I cherish more and more each day

… to Ann Marie, for the fact that she and I, early in our friendship, realized that we wanted to have a “prom-like experience” again, so we went out and bought, basically GOWNS to drive up to Milwaukee and see a Pat McCurdy show. We showed up in this dingy bar in GOWNS. I am laughing out loud.

… to Joe Hurley, for emerging out of the damn blue in the way you did, remembering me as that girl in the eyepatch from years ago singing “Where is love” on the sidewalk in lower Manhattan, for tracking me down like a bloodhound – that took some doing and I am so impressed with your effort – and also for your amusing emails which really have lightened my days recently. Without even knowing it (and that is the best part of it), you have reminded me of who I am.

… to Ted, for all the wine, the conversation, and our years-long friendship … I am so grateful for it

… to Betsy, for the Tangy Taffy and for being my best friend before I even knew who I was

… to Mere – first of all for crocheting those mittens last year when I asked you to … you didn’t hesitate, you just STARTED and you created the weird thing that I asked you to – bless you! … and for being a wonderful friend. Even though you are missing a toe.

… to Beyonce, for her “Single Ladies” song and video. I can’t get enough and when I’ve felt blue and broken, as I often feel, I’ll watch it. It works.

… to Barbara, for believing in me

… to the neighbors who came over the morning of the snowstorm and – without being asked – shoveled out our driveway and shoveled out all of our cars

… to Kate, one of my dearest and most treasured friends. I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you recently, as you go through all these huge changes! I miss you so much!

… to Michele, for getting so enraged about a recent article in the Pro Jo that she considered calling up the editor to give her own version of events. A sort of Rhode Island expose. Brilliant! Also, for her kind emails and support

… to Patrick Sandora, for making me LAUGH!! You’re awesome!

… to Stephenie Meyer, for her Twilight books. They have been such a welcome escape from the intensity of this December, and I have been transported by them. I so needed it.

… to Jean … for saying the word “Benny’s” in almost every conversation, and for just who you are. I’m so proud of you.

… to my new niece/nephew, whoever you will be … I love you already.