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The Land Rover rests in my driveway awaiting multiple repairs and I’ve been slowly weaving the tale of its trip home. I wanted to break the long silence for a big thank you to everyone that keeps me from wasting away.

A quick glance at my father’s side of the family and you’ll see where my lanky build comes from. With metabolisms like ours, we can eat nearly anything and still maintain our slim figures.

However, I’ve long had chronic abdominal issues, including recurring peptic ulcers, which frequently places eating anywhere between unappealing and downright impossible. Keeping pain in check requires daily medication, stress relief, exercise, and—most importantly—eating. I’ve been breaking through years of bad habits of succumbing to the pain—not eating; passing out on the couch—and have been keeping myself healthy.

It’s especially difficult as I find myself deeply in debt and on a tight budget. I tend to lean towards skipping meals when I’m out of cash for groceries. Family and friends have been generous in this respect and I want to voice my thanks. While much of it seems insignificant, my daily health is more important to me than I even remember to consider, so I thank you all:

• My grandmother for a loaf of bread the last time I visited. I had toast and jam for lunch for a week. Not to mention all the treats on holidays and special occasions.
• Sylvia for the regular snacks on Wednesdays when she’s cleaning the office. Also all the bones that she passes out to the dogs, my redhead included.
• My parents for the occasional drink, snacks, or veggies before I make the 150 mile trip home on many a weekend. Esp. this past weekend after the memorial service.
• Eleanora for the meals and weekly/bi-weekly water jug fill-ups when we’re in town. Most memorably, dinners at The Steak Out.
• Osla for the occasional gifts of baklava when we miss the Brattleboro Farmers’ Market.
• Chaz for the lunch he makes Emily at the restaurant, some of which occasionally make it home in leftover form for me to enjoy.
• Ed, Kali, Mark, Jim, et al, for often providing the office with small donuts, bagels, and snacks.
• My coworker Mark for the occasional burger, dog, and/or creemee run.
• Sue & Dave for the annual veggie patch overflow donation and homemade maple syrup.

And, last, but certainly most importantly:

• Emily for the gourmet appetizers, entrées, and desserts she crafts for me nearly every night of every week. And the fantastic picnics she packs for us. And all the grocery and farmers market shopping she does for us. Delectable leftovers accompany me to work for lunches. She’s the reason I love food.

Thank you all for keeping me fed. I owe you my life.