Feb 032012
 

When I got to work on Monday, Sue called me into her office and told me that Barb was in the hospital. My stomach dropped, my heart sank, and my eyes spontaneously welled. Sue told me not to panic and that it was a good thing she was being treated.

But that didn’t really do much to quell my crackling nerves. In the last almost-2 years, Barb has firmly planted herself on my short list of favorite people. She has been more of a mom to me than my own biological mom EVER has and I appreciate her so much, it’s immeasurable. I tell her everything and she is one of the few people who can make me feel like everything is going to be OK. Now she’s in the hospital and I feel so helpless because I just want to be able to reciprocate that for her, but I’m such an emotional spaz that I’m sure I would only wind up stressing her out in the end. (Seriously, I’m terrible at these things!)

We’ve been texting all week, but I haven’t heard from her since she had surgery last night. (Sue assures me it was a routine procedure, and Barb’s dad told her she made it through just fine, so there’s that at least!)

I was talking to Henry about it last night and I started to get all choked up. “See, I do care about people sometimes!” I pointed out.

“Yeah, surprisingly,” he said, and he really did look surprised, too.

With Barb gone all week (and at least another month as well), the office feels so dead. She has such a huge, fun presence that the atmosphere has honestly changed in her absence. And in the short time she’s been in my life, she already knows me so well, because Barb’s the type of person who takes the time to get to know someone.

Just the other week, Carey offered Barb a box of baked goods, to which Barb responded with, “For future reference, always offer stuff to Erin first.” SEE? BECAUSE SHE KNOWS ME.

She’s the type of person to go back to a flea market and buy a creepy-ass doll for someone for Christmas, after learning about how much that person desperately wanted the doll but their BOYFRIEND said NO.

She’s the type of person you want around if if your water breaks in a public restroom.

She’s the type of person who brings a kid a present to their mom’s birthday party, just so they won’t feel left out when their mom is opening her presents.

She’s the type of person who will embrace a person’s inner-weirdness and pore over a book of death scenes with them, because she is a weirdo too.

She is the person that everyone whines and cries to at work, because they know that not only will she listen, but she will care. (Or at least pretend to.)

She’s just Barb, and she’s pretty much the most awesome person I know.

But it’s Barb’s turn to come first. Let’s all give her a shout out today. She’s the most generous and caring person I know, and now it’s time for her to get all that back. Maybe you don’t know Barb in real life, but you have probably read about her on here, and if she happens to read this after she gets out of the hospital, I’m sure it will lift her spirits, so leave her a get well comment. She deserves it!

Get well soon, Barb. We all miss the hell out of you!!

  17 Responses to “Get Well Soon, Barb!!”

  1. Aw, this almost made me cry! We miss you Barb!

    I didn’t tell you about how I had the idea that in Barb’s absence, there should be a light above whoever’s desk is doing the scanning. Or even better, someone could walk around the floor like Last Mail lady and say, “ERIN KELLY IS NOW IN THE OFFICE” or whatever. A-ron thought it was a terrible idea.

  2. Barb, Erin needs you, so please get better quickly!

  3. I don’t know you Barb, but Erin has made me love you!!! Get well soon. Sounds like your all really lucky to have each other.

  4. I’m such a fan of Barb and I’m so glad I got to meet her in real life <3

  5. Barb… dear Barb…

    I only know you vicariously through Erin’s writing… but I can tell that you are one cool ass woman!

    I hope that you are feeling better very soon… Erin is bound to start having Barb DT’s!

    Best Wishes Barb…

    and Erin… deep breathing helps… in thru the nose, out thru the mouth :)

  6. Barb sounds like special people. Get well soon, lady! Poor Henry can’t take all that whining… er, Erin time alone. :)

  7. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Barb!

  8. Get better, quick, Barb! The office really isn’t the same. Too quiet and stuffy.

  9. Barb, you are as much a part of Erin’s blog as Henry and Chooch are, and I hope you get well soon.

  10. Dear Barb,

    As Erin will tell you, I am a regular reader but a very rare commenter, however I will make an exception to tell you GET WELL SOON!!! Erin needs you, she really does, I can tell and I’ve known her a loooooong time. But don’t just do it for Erin, do it for you too b/c getting well is way better than being not-well!!!

    Feel better soon!

    Christy (Erin’s Oldest Friend)

  11. Greetings Barb,

    I only know you through our dear, mutual friend, Erin. To be honest, she does nothing but sing your praises. And although I sometimes question her judgment on some things (but don’t worry, I’m pretty sure that she questions mine even more), I trust her completely when she tells me that someone is caring, trustworthy and all-around awesome.

    Please take care of yourself, feel better, and get back to enriching the lives of everyone around you.

    Keep the change,
    Rick

  12. Hope each day you are feeling better. Did you get the keep the bad part as a souvenir? If so can’t wait for you to come back so I can see it. Hugs….

  13. oh my goodness!!!!!

    Feel better soon, Barb!!! Miss you!!!

  14. Dear Barb,

    You are missed so very much! Take care and come back to us soon. We miss you!

    Kristen

  15. Barb I feel like I know you…..you fill an unforgiveable void in Erin’s life…I am so happy for that. Get well soon. Sue

  16. Barb, They say, good sleep and laughter are the best medicines. Try laughing in your dreams every night, it will save you a lot of time! Hope they are treating you great. Hope you get back to work with Erin soon. I know she misses you and cares for you very much. Your the best at making others smile! Big healthy hugs!

  17. We aren’t used to Barb being under the weather, but even in her recuperation bed, she’s smiling and chuckling. Laughing must still hurt. There is nobody like her, and Erin, I’m glad you’re letting the world know her the way those of us who know and love her do! Get Better soon, and get home, Barb!

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