This past Sunday my closest friends had brunch with me to celebrate my birthday. I had every intention of giving a little speech, but many many mimosas prevented that from happening. I'll try to express here what I meant to there. While this is addressed specifically to a group of 15 or so that were there that day, it represents my feeling for all my friends and family who have shown so much support over the past month.

This month started out with the worst week of my life. A couple people have been surprised when I've said that. It turned out well, so how could it have been worse than when my mother died? But it was. Sitting by my sister's hospital bed, in the same ICU I sat in multiple times by Mom's, thinking this amazing woman who is like my sister, best friend and daughter all rolled into one might die-- it was worse. But she's better now and there's no way my father, Harold & I could have gotten through that week without some pretty amazing people.

I am incredibly grateful for the people at this table. You visited us at the hospital and made us get out in the fresh air. You talked to me on the phone for hours about my sister, her health, her doctors and stupid drama that had to do with nothing to do with any of that. You translated doctor-speak for my family and helped us understand what was happening. You text messaged asking about Sarah and my dad and me. Even those of you who didn't really know until the crisis was over... you provided inspiration and hope even when you didn't know it. You listened to me vent. You cried with me, showing more empathy and love than I could have imagined before this. You emailed and called and prayed and facebooked and tweeted your love. You loved me and you loved my sister in your own individual ways and now you even showed up on short notice in the rain to be here with me. 

There is no way to express how much all of that means to me. I am so thankful for each and every one of you. I am continuallly surprised by the number of wonderful, quality friends who have opened their hearts to me and can only hope that I am worthy of you. From the bottom of my heart and the depth of my soul, thank you for your friendship and love.