1) Sarah the Superstar sent me a spectacular package in the mail today. It contained: Six bodacious bookmarks (including an Arthur one), three vanilla scented tealights, a Boxing Bones pen, two packets of ZEN tea, a bottle of sparkly nail polish, two library pencils and a library magnet (Because Sarah-Sura is the sexiest librarian ever), a cake of blue star-shaped soap, and the sweetest card in the world. Plus, there were Edward Gorey and Wind in the Willows stickers on the box. Sarah hon, I can’t even begin to tell you how much I appreciated this. So I’ll just say that I can’t wait for drinks with you when you come and visit Boston, and that when you do come, you’re going to get a hug that cracks your (delicate) ribs — so be sure to wear a thick sweater.

2) Ross’s calm, green-brown eyes when I come home from a rotten day.

3) I got a long, newsy email from Erica this morning which I totally did not deserve, considering the fact that I have been completely negligent about emailing or calling the people who are dearest to me (including Erica). It was just the thing to read while I was injecting coffee into my veins, and was clearly designed to be lovingly distracting. It worked — I felt both loved and distracted. (I also felt a strong desire to watch The West Wing, under a blanket in a living room with a low slanty ceiling.)

4) My dad and his brother are working on writing a history of my grandfather’s life — and this week I got the first installment. I can’t wait to read more — someday, folks, there will be a S*thi family tome you can put on your living room table!

5) My mom just keeps sending me the BEST emails. If anyone out there needs a penpal, I highly recommend my mom.

6) My friends still love me even though I have disappeared from the face of the planet. I do not deserve such good treatment, but I will attempt to make up for it by making some phonecalls this weekend.

7) There are two girls I teach whom I would love to take home with me, and I chatted with one of them for a long time this morning. During the conversation she approved of my hair, which is growing out kind of shaggy. Yes, a 10 year old made me feel better about my hair — I need all the validation I can get at this point! :-)

I’ll stop at lucky seven… I really am blessed.