Many thanks to everyone who responded to the previous post, lent a kind ear, or mailed sympathy cards to the house. It helps tremendously knowing you have people you can count on in times of crisis, that much is clear to me now. I am extraordinarily, unbelievably . . . inexpressibly grateful for each and every one of you.

I won't betray your trust by revealing who you are, but I read your journal, a lot of it, and while we aren't the closest of friends yet, I hope you know that my phone is always on, my door is always open, and I will always be here to sit with you should you ever feel that lonely again. I think you're fascinating, and lovely, and incredibly smart, and I can't stand your saying otherwise. It's just too sad (and too familiar) to bear.