70. Gene, my "real" father

We tried to make it work. For us, it didn’t. Not that way. I wished it could have, but then I wouldn’t be able to forgive you for ending it. Suicide is NEVER acceptable. You’re the one who taught me forgiveness.

69. Tooley (first name - Dave)

He says, “I have a first name ya know?” His rough exterior conceals a sweetheart interior that is often caught hibernating. He likes to push people’s buttons as if they are his personal video games. For whatever reason, I like him.

68. Brittany

A superball of wonder, color and energy in a beautiful wrapper. I enjoy her passion in everything. I just wish she could see into my crystalball and learn life’s lessons that can only be learned by experiencing their pain first hand.

67. Rick (The "OTHER" Bartender)

“What can I getcha?” were the first words you spoke to me, not the last. Talking computers, Kill Bill movies, NY Yankees for years. You almost do a good job hiding that you care. Is there REALLY rum in that drink?

66. Sara

It matters to Sara that everyone experiences happiness. Even at the expense of her own. One who apologizes for apologizing. A great friend. I am glad she is mine. So many treasures found sipping from wine glasses at my kitchen table.

65. Red Cross Nurse #1

She said, “Sometimes you have to tell someone it’s alright. Otherwise, they hang on until they feel secure knowing you will survive”. I kept that information to myself for months. My mom passed away 4-hours after I shared it with her.

64. The love of my life for now

When his well meaning father introduced the middle aged, attractive doctor to me I fell in love. Too bad I will never see him again. What a glorious feeling, falling in love is. Who will I fall in love with today?

63. Eric

Anything to be the center of attention. When you were unhappy you called and visited often. Each time bringing friends or an anorexic, even a stripper with you for credibility. I know you are truly happy now because you haven’t visited.

62. Stephen

One date. One kiss. We knew we could have been more but chose not to. Knowing friendship offered far more rewards. We kept in touch until I returned to your hometown. Were you afraid we were looking for different rewards then?

61. Suzanne

In junior high, Suzanne was younger but more mature, secure and self-confident than me. After gaining my own self worth, I ran into her years later noticing she hadn’t changed at all. I had. I was happy for both of us.

60. Moose

You hated being neighbors. Never told us why. You just screamed at kids and called the police. I still have the headline that reads “Local Dog Sentenced to Obedience School”. You learned later you blamed the wrong dog for the barking.

59. Ron

An Elflike and beyond quirky Red Sox Fan. Ron believes everything is a danger. His heart of gold is hard to see through his mountain man facade. He knows everything he knows is fact. He is obsessed with Carla Fay Tucker.

58. Kip

Kip and I trade collectibles. He gives me lunch boxes. I give him unique bottles and books about bottles. He once told me I remind him of his sister, a plain and simple looking woman. I took it as a compliment.

57. Janet Church

I was honored you asked me to sit-in on the meeting with the surgeon because you were too distraught. I cannot express the pain watching you decide which of your daughter’s organs you were willing to give. A mother’s true hell.

56. Victoria

The tallest person I know, though her height conceals it. Strong in conviction. Of high moral content. One flaw, too self-analytical. One of few who would not bail me out of jail because she would be sitting in lock-up beside me!

55. Lesley

A shorter, rounder version of Martha Stewart. Can make any dinner party spectacular. After a couple glasses of wine or beer has a voice that causes pain in the deafest of ears. Tries to be a friend, just doesn’t know how.

54. My sister Christine

On paper you never color outside the lines. In real life you always do. Your creativity and energy is unmatched. The “older sister” I always wanted. The friend I always needed. One who loves me anyway. Being the family freak is a GREAT thing!

Today I am "upgrading" from my 41 words to 44 in honor of Christine's 44th birthday. Even with the extra words I have found this post to be the hardest to limit. Happy Birthday C!

53. Lou

“You make the best Manhattan outside of New York City”, Lou told me on different occasions. She appeared to be so optimistic. How could she survive so many years and then decide to end it on purpose? Appearances can be deceiving.

52. Lisa B.

Young, attractive, single, woman living in Vermont. Should be in some metropolis enjoying all the excitement that dense populations offer. Falls in love with every man who pays her attention. Lowest self esteem of anyone I know. Sex is not love.

51. Darren a.k.a. Sparky

Sparky gets all the funny looks from the grown-ups in town. Assumptions are often made about him that are far from truth. Great imagination, creativity and energy lie under the hood where people only see pierced eyebrows, lips and black eyeliner.

50. Barbie

Thirty-two years up and down the stairs we affectionately call the thigh master. Carrying people’s desires and hopes on a tray. All the time throwing cigarette butts in the fireplace when no one is looking. Don’t forget to “86 mashed potatoes”.

49. Aunt Jaye

The youngest of four sisters. The clown with a big smile and gargantuan heart. Her sisters’ ineffective peacekeeper. Her mother’s gopher. Her daughters “fixer”. Her son’s disciplinarian. She had the good toys. We had fun but somehow she always seemed sad.

48. Lou Ann

Holding my hand while alternating chants, “Breath”, “Push”, “Breath”, “Push”. She moved from hand holding to her forearm under my breasts literally helping to push my baby out. A wonderful nurse. Whether she knew it or not, she found her calling.

47. Theresa B.

She had the exciting life and great hair. Scouted talent for a famous rock band. Managed new bands in spare time. She shared that excitement with me. I never understood why she spent her days selling hope in a convenience store?

46. Kenny B.

Kenny beat me up every day after school. Cannot remember if there was a reason. One day he saw my German Shepard from a distance. He never beat me again. I wonder if he still pushes people’s faces in the snow.

45. Frank #2

Educated, articulate and too literal. Fun to debate with. Speaks only facts as I speak only emotion. He hates when anyone uses the word “but”. Reads the New York Times at the bar, sipping his Manhattan, BUT light on the vermouth.

44. Mary Ellen

I pocketed the knife I was opening computer boxes with. I realized she was paranoid, delusional. My stalker was born. I shouldn’t have left the knife at the door as I exited. A couple months later she escaped from the hospital.

43. Greg

Surrounded by pessimists and atheists, Greg was refreshing. A very competitive salesman and truly dedicated Mormon which seemed an impossible combination. He pulled it off with amazing grace. We met first in a hotel room. That was part of my job.

42. The Princess

Good times, bad times, we are there for each other. Holding each other’s sanity in the midst of motherhood. Me always chanting “Just wait until your kids get here.” A beautiful person with one bad habit. PLEASE MAKE THE WHINING STOP!!!

41. Mrs. B

Come on you can get those knees all the way to the ground! Harder! Try harder! She made us do all the “hard” exercises during acrobatics lessons. She seemed so mean. I could have learned a lot but switched to gymnastics.

40. Sandy

Sandy never judges my actions but tells me her thoughts. There are times I would have never survived without her. Like the day I took 2nd place in the children’s competition of the ceramics show. I was 29. We were proud!