I’m sitting here at home with strep throat (which I undoubtedly got from one of those little germ wagons whose parents drag to Sexy Liberal shows and force Mama to kiss — “Isn’t my little daughter cute? Her name is Mary, she coughs a lot, we call her Typhoid Mary … ha, ha, ha! Don’t let that worry you, Stephanie, she’s not contagious. Give the nice lady a big kiss, Mary.” Blechh.
But Mama isn’t feeling sorry for herself. Not today. It’s impossible not to count your blessings when you look at the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy up and down the eastern seaboard.
Swigging antibiotics here in my pajamas, I’ve stayed glued to the television, watching poignant, often painful images of people trying to cope with the loss of their pets, their homes and, in some horrible cases, their family members. I’ve watched politics — finally — take a back seat to what America is really about: coming together in a crisis. I’ve been inspired by the leadership of a Democrat, President Obama; a Republican, Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey; and an Independent, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
My voice may sound like I’ve been chain smoking Marlboros while guzzling Marlboros (imagine that Bea Arthur and Harvey Fierstein had a secret love child), but the pain in Mama’s throat is really from the lump that’s stuck there as I watch people helping each other when they really need it. And I’m grateful that most of my loved ones are basically OK. My heart goes out to my friend George, who runs our Stephanie Miller and Sexy Liberal websites. George lost both his garage and his car when they were crushed by a fallen tree. My heart goes out to everyone who has been affected by this awful storm.
Hopefully you’ll see and hear me back on the air tomorrow. We’ll continue to cover the effects of this storm as Chris Lavoie, Jim Ward and Jacki Schechner did so well today in Mama’s absence.
And as for you, Ms. “All About Eve” Schechner, you can stop humming “Walking on Sunshine” every time you pass a mirror. Mama loves you, but I wear my tiara to bed — and I always sleep with one eye open. 
(Photo: Getty Images)
