The thank-you's.

[silverhawthorn]

When I think back over these past weeks, obviously my strongest memory is of being in the crowd in front of the stage, watching those bands play their hearts out and making me feel so very alive. But hard on the heels of that memory is the memory of all the people who supported me in this journey, who kept me safe and made the trip not just about the music but about the immense well of generosity and kindness that exists out there.

perchingwolf and Mr. Timmons, for helping tie up loose ends and accepting HRH into their home even though she's a diva extraordinaire.

mrs_batman and fleurdeliser, for Astro Zombies and all the ways they made the first part of this trip possible.

S. in California, for allowing me the freedom of her classroom and computer.

M. in Portland, for being so sweet when I was so petrified.

alexsandee and her family, for making me one of their own, repeatedly.

A. in Kansas, for sharing and Starbucks and phone cards.

SC, for surprising me with her generosity. *raises a coffee cup*

K. and L. in Cleveland, for chatter and fairy wings and not laughing at candy bars in bubble wrap. pizzazz! *grin*

Matt, for being sweet to a crazy lady and accepting the candy blob without batting an eye.

The Starbucks in St. Louis, for having stickers.

S. in St. Louis, for fake bacon and real hospitality, and for explaining why he really is a good bass player.

The sound and lighting guy in Columbus, for unexpectedly being a boy scout.

The taxi driver in Philadelphia, for unexpectedly being a knight in shining armor.

trudybooth, for giving me a reason to go to Philadelphia in the first place, for breakfast after a night on concrete, for making me give him my phone number, and for sharing your city with me.

fuschia, for all the walks and not minding the single-minded topic of conversation, for being another gift this band gave me, and for Madison Sq. Garden (I can never thank you enough).

K., for getting me to New York and my hostel (sorry for being too weird for you).

A. from the Netherlands, for worrying about a total stranger.

S. at the Borders coffee shop, for being so friendly and giving me free coffee.

shaedowcat and all my linemates in "The Clubhouse", for making being wet and miserable so much fun.

And most heartfelt thanks to:

Laverne, for being Laverne, for being my Big Sister and Boss, for the special salsa and the jeans and the Columbus Greyhound, for making me cry because I don't deserve you but the Fates will have us flying together anyway, to my great amazement.

Every Lovely with me in G.A. -- I adore you all! ♥

Every stranger in line who became a friend.

The band that got me out there.

The band that won me over.

The band I was sad to see go.

And, of course:

My gods, for keeping me in their care.