Friday, October 02, 2009


You gotta have friends.

And boy do I ever. Mark and I took the kids to Cleveland for a funeral for our dear friend Jim Garibaldi. Jim died on Sunday am, perhaps of a heart attack. He had ALS. His funeral was a fine tribute to him as a loving husband, devoted father and all around success.

In order to attend the wake, I had to ask for help. So, who you gonna call? Michelle O'Neil of course. You know her blog don't you? DON'T YOU? My goodness, race on over to FULL SOUL AHEAD and start reading! She has a beautiful daughter named Riley who has Asperger's and who is doing so very well. And a darling pip of a son named Seth (I hope he liked the skeleton ball I bought him!) Her husband Todd is a dream. Truly.

She came to the hotel laden with goodies for my girls and wine for Mark and me - aaaaahhhhh. It's funny, I have family members with whom I would not entrust the girls for two hours and feel secure. With Michelle, I walked out the door knowing that all was well. No stress at all.


I hope you have friends on whom you can call when you need help. It's a learned skill, asking for help. Fortunately, practice makes perfect. And I've had plenty of practice.


Thank you, Michelle.

14 comments:

pixiemama said...

We could start a Facebook fan page for Michelle. She is dear to me.

Sorry for your loss.

love.

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

Some people come into your life and they stay. Others are fleeting friends. Michelle is a keeper. Same for Peg, wife of my friend Jim. That "click" of friendship is rare once we get older. I cherish it. Amen.

Michelle O'Neil said...

Shocking to click on your page and see my face!

Your girls are a joy. It was my pleasure.

xo

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

You mean your BEAUTIFUL face. Man you have gorgeous bones! :)

kathleen said...

how wonderful kim, asking for help is not easy. so glad you have such a beautiful soul in your life, what a gift. happy for you, & hope the wine was divine...

Amanda said...

Isn't it great to find friends in weird places? I mean, did you expect to find a MO'N when you started your blog? Me neither! When I first found you on line (through my Canadian friend hearing you on the radio) you irritated the Brit pants off me but now I'd miss you.

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

Ha! Amanda, I know I did irritate you. But like an itchy but cute bug, I grew on you. I love your farm stories and your stories about your girls. :)

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

Sniff sniff, so you smell Chloe? My Mom said she popped in this morning. :)

Laura said...

Great post, Kim! Having friends who can understand and help is such a blessing! Michelle, you're great!

Ms. TK said...

My favorite Bette Midler song is "Ya Gotta Have Friends" ...and Michelle embodies every stinkin' lyric.

To Michelle!

(clink, clink)

fullsoulahead.com said...

Lord Kim. You gotta post something else! I'm begging you!

Schmoop said...

Hi Kim. Just thought of you for some reason, and thought I'd stop and say Hi. Here's to ya keepin' on and speakin' on a worthy cause. Cheers!!

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

MAtt Man!! Damn I am so lost w/out the Snark days. I'm coming over, it's Friday!

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