As a card-carrying cynic -- not to brag, but I have the coveted Platinum membership -- I am loath to buy into those cross-stitch pillow cliches about life. Still, I have found recently that when times are tough, you really do find out who your friends are. Damn, sometimes it's hard to be a cynic. Next thing you know, I'm gonna start believing home really is where the heart is, or that love is always patient and kind.