I was driving to one of my many therapy appointments this week and thinking, "It's always darkest before the dawn." (My head goes on cliche-autopilot during the dark spans. Makes for very kicky water-cooler talk. I sound like a cross between June Cleaver and the adorably zany neighbor on Valerie. You know. That show in the eighties that starred Valerie Harper [or, as you may remember her more immediately, Rhoda, whom I also adored, who also happened to be a zany neighbor herself, earlier, on the Mary Tyler Moore show. jesus. This may never end. Didn't Dick and Laura have a zany neighbor, too? No. That was covered by Dick's comedy teammates. But, Rhoda -- oh, the accent! oh, the head scarves! Lovvved]. Valerie, the show, also starred my favorite at the time, the appetite-for-the-eyes Jason Bateman. Edie Clurg played the zany neighbor. She was righteously zany. Not quite as good as when she was the secretary with the endless number of pencils in her 'hive and her "oh, Ed"s on FBDO, you know, the one who sniffed glue and swore under her breath with perfect comedic timing, but -- I'll take my Edie Clurg where I can get her. Well, unless it's on Hannah Montana, which I just found out she's recently done a guest turn on, because I looked at her page on imdb, because, dude. I don't have cable. Or a tweenage daughter. Or any desire to know anything about Hannah Montana beyond its mere, burbling existence. Etc.
June Cleaver and Edie Clurg. Yep! You betcha! Fucker!
Wow. My devolution of/war on clever conversation proceeds at its stumbling-yet-regular rate.
*pats self on back*)
I am, quite obviously, stalling.
See, there are these bloggers, these people who came outta the woodwork and got together and sent me some gift cards that arrived today in the mail, that will buy this week's groceries, and a free-wheeling trip to Starbucks for treats and delicacies and non-necessaries -- oh, the frivolous things one can buy at Starbucks! -- and a card that is specifically for fun items only.
They did this, these people, these amazing, incredible, thoughtful, beautifully kind people, because I've kind of been a massive fucking headcase-y mess of all hot messes, well, the broke-ain't-no-joke kind, and you have no idea how 
embarrassed and humbled and grateful and awed you can be until you're standing in my slightly-worn flats, shivering with shame and blessedness.
There's simply no way for them to know how opportune it was, this gift, this kindness.
My darkest has, seemingly, broken up and is being replaced by the first lovely beams of pink-and-lavender-hued dawn.
Also, you fucking beautiful wenches made me cry. Twice. Then and now.
This week's groceries and dinners and lunches and breakfasts and mealtime toasts will all go to you, since you've made them happen.
Thank you so much.
I really wish I could think of something else to say, something to make you understand how depthfully you've touched me, touched my family, your kindness. (Aside from making up words in your honor. Words like "depthfully." And "happy-diddliferous." Although, quite honestly, that second one sounds more like something Ned Flanders would say, or maybe the zany-neighbor/La Cleaver would come up with. Not as honorful as "depthfully." However, "honorful" is kinda working for me.)
Shit.
(Maybe I could just swear a few more times and call you some more filthy names? That's always *my* preferred form of thanks.)
You beautiful fucking wenches. Love to each of you.
Er, that is, to
Hey. You're welcome.
Random acts of kindness are good for the giver and the receiver.
Smootches!
Posted by: magpie | October 11, 2008 at 03:29 PM
That is beautiful.
Posted by: Mary | October 11, 2008 at 04:07 PM
xoxoxo
Posted by: Erika Jurney | October 11, 2008 at 06:33 PM
How sweet! Just warms my little heart.
Posted by: Kyla | October 11, 2008 at 07:04 PM
Most of the time I stalk thru life generally disliking people. Not specific people, just the thought of people, how crass and rude and uncaring and just plain stoopid they can be. And then I read something like this and it makes my misanthropic, curmudgeonly heart smile.
Posted by: Major Bedhead | October 11, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Good to know you've got those ones looking out for you.
Liking the changes. & the Ferris quote.
Posted by: hoppytoddle | October 11, 2008 at 09:16 PM
Don't you DARE be embarrassed! Be loved and warmed by that little ray of sunshine (because you are one your own self).
Posted by: Kathi D | October 11, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Not to be all Hallmarky (because I have so been there) but it takes some mighty fine loads of crap to see how awesome people can be. And to truly appreciate it. Be blessed, my friend.
Posted by: Anissa@Hope4Peyton | October 12, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Filthy names are the penultimate! You deserve everything and more.
Posted by: Deb | October 12, 2008 at 08:46 PM
That's absolutely incredible. Gives one hope in the human spirit.
When I was a new blogger, and was having (was???) serious financial difficulties, someone who read my blog but never commented sent me an Amazon gift card to my email. I don't know her real name. I don't know anything about her. It has never left me.
Posted by: Candy | October 13, 2008 at 01:34 PM
We adore you Debbie!
Posted by: Lotta | October 13, 2008 at 03:13 PM
See, I'm a cynic. I think the person who spies the $20 falling out of the distracted mom's purse as she wheels her cart and kiddos through the checkout line is quiet and waiting for the mom to be out of sight before snatching up and pocketing that $20. I think the man staring at the young beautiful girl who is young enough to be his daughter isn't just marveling at her beauty but is imagining ways he can fuck up her beauty, take advantage for his own desires, and turn her out when he's through with her. I think the woman cooing over my children and their obvious cuteness is judging me that I put a bag of chocolates in my cart and is looking at my ample waistline thinking I'm doing it to my kids too.
Maybe I'm paranoid. Maybe I'm right. Maybe I'm both.
But not all the time. Not all the time, THANK FUCKING GOD! Because of people like your friends. People like those who put their money together to brighten your spirit and help out someone they love. I only wish I hadn't been quite so absent from the blogosphere lately and might have seen how to get in on this before the wonderfulness happened. Regardless of that, I know you deserve it, and you deserve these friends, these gems who are probably the type to pick up the $20 and chase down that distracted mother.
Love stuff like this. I like being proven wrong when it comes to this.
Posted by: Shutter Bitch | October 15, 2008 at 09:43 AM