A Little Help from my friends

I heard from a lot of people when I was in the hospital. This was especially comforting as I was coming out of reanimation and confined in myh bed, not able, or really willing to move. I want to thank the people who helped keep my spirits up, particularly during the dark times. My friends from Palermo - Angelo and Franci, Giusi Vitale and Melito Polito, Franco Tranchina and Giusi Cerlito, Ernesto. I even saw all of them doing the perp walk behind the windows in reanimation. And Gabriella and Fabrizzio Ricotta came all the way from Sciacca for a visit. There was never a day that I did not have at least one visitor, and Giusi Viatale even arranged for a volunteer to come and visit to make sure I did not need anything.

Paolo Ficalora and Ignatzia Marchese called at least once every day to make sure I was alright. Nadja and Petra and Gene from Germany all called. Toto Grisafi and Anna Catenzarro from Sciacca, and Monica, and Pascale from Sciacca, kept my phone going with their caring thoughts. And of course Gasperi Marinello, who not only called me, but also talked with the doctors, and then talked to me to make sure I understood everything. My friends from the Sigonella Naval Air Station.

Michael, Carl, and Mike from the states, often.

Of course Jon and Jess, always taking the time to be with me by phone, always comforting me, always able to chat a little, even if the business next door was burning down.

Some times I was too tired to stay on the phone for very long. Some calls I may not remember because of the pain, or the morphine, or the tiredness.

I just want you all to know that you were a great help to me.

I am humbled at having such wonderful people caring in my life.